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SC Gov. McMaster announces sticker program to ID restaurants following COVID-19 rules

State - 6/23/2020

Jun. 23--COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gov. Henry McMaster says he won't require people to wear masks in public, but he wants customers to have a way to hold restaurants accountable if they see employees failing to take precautions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

McMaster, the state's tourism agency, and the S.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday announced the Palmetto Priority initiative, aimed at showing the public whether a restaurant is following precautions recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control to limit the the virus' spread.

The program allows restaurants to voluntarily commit to following key cleaning and safety guidelines and it also calls for restaurateurs to take online courses and to have a limited DHEC food safety inspection.

On an online portal, set up at Palmettopriority.com, diners can comment on their experiences at restaurants including saying whether staff wore masks or the restaurant promoted social distancing.

The program is similar to the Greenville Pledge program, a partnership between the city, business and development leaders. Businesses are encouraged in the program to place a sign on their windows pledging to follow CDC and DHEC guidance, such as employees socially distancing, regularly cleaning and employees wearing masks.

More than 400 businesses in Greenville have taken the pledge.

Under the initiative announced Tuesday, restaurants will be able to get a sticker to place on their front doors saying employees are following training requirements and wearing masks once restaurants complete online training and have a DHEC inspection.

The program is meant to reassure customers restaurants are taking precautions, as well as an incentive to businesses to have employees wear masks.

The program announcement comes as South Carolina's COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rapidly climbing.

The state's daily case counts have eclipsed 1,000 on several days during the past week. On Tuesday, DHEC announced that 890 additional people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

Even though the governor and DHEC officials have expressed concern about people not regularly wearing masks or social distancing, McMaster has said he would not require people to wear masks in public. The city of Columbia and Richland County are considering ordinances to mandate people wear masks while out in public. Greenville adopted an ordinance on Monday requiring people to wear masks in grocery stores and pharmacies.

In May, McMaster allowed restaurants to again have in-person dining with capacity restrictions.

Guidelines include limiting the number of guests per table to eight people, spacing tables at least eight feet apart, having paper menus, and not having salt and pepper shakers on tables.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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