<b>From staff reports</b>

Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order Monday evening lifting restrictions on public access to the state’s beaches, public piers, docks and wharfs, and allowing some of the state’s retailers to reopen.

Beaufort County opened all county-managed public piers, docks and beach access by noon, Tuesday, April 21.

They are:

<b>BEACH AND<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>WATERWAY ACCESS</b>

Alljoy Beach

Bermuda Bluff

Bloody Point

Coosaw Island

Lands End Overlooks

New Daufuskie Beach Access

Old Daufuskie Beach Access

Pappy’s Landing

The Sands

<b>PIERS AND DOCKS</b>

Bluffton Public Dock

Broad River Fishing Pier

Camp St. Mary’s Fishing Pier

C.C. Haigh, Jr. Landing Fixed Pier

Daufuskie Landing Fixed Pier

Factory Creek Fishing Pier

Jenkins Island Pier

Old House Creek Pier

Whale Branch Fishing Pier

Wimbee Creek Fishing Pier

Hunting Island State Park, managed by the S.C. State Park System, remains closed until April 30. Public beach access points managed by individual municipalities remain closed until reopened by that municipality’s Council decision. Hilton Head Island has said its beaches will remain closed through April 30.

<b>Open for business</b>

Governor McMaster’s executive order Monday allowed the following businesses to reopen, effective immediately:

Furniture and home-furnishings stores

Clothing, shoe, and clothing-accessory stores

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores

Department stores, with the exception of hardware and home-improvement stores

Sporting goods stores

Book, craft, and music stores

Flea markets

Florists and flower stores

All other businesses previously closed by executive order will remain closed until further notice.

Under the order, retail stores must adhere to strict social-distancing requirements, operating at 20% occupancy or five customers per 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.

In addition, businesses must not knowingly allow customers to congregate within six feet of one another, excluding families, and must follow relevant CDC and DHEC guidelines.

All other executive orders, including the Governor’s “Home or Work” order, remain in effect. South Carolinians should maintain social distancing practices and avoid large groups of people.

<b>McMaster creates<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>accelerateSC</b>

McMaster on Monday also announced the creation of accelerateSC, a coordinated economic revitalization plan involving small and large business leaders, healthcare professionals, local government officials, and education professionals.

The plan consists of five components of analysis and effort: Response, Protection, Governance, Resources, and Information. James Burns, a partner at the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough, will serve as accelerateSC’s executive director. Burns and the rest of the membership are serving in a voluntary capacity.

Gov. McMaster and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette will attend and lead the first meeting of accelerateSC on Thursday of this week. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

On Tuesday, S.C. Senate President Harvey Peeler named three senators to the accelerateSC advisory team.

Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), Sen. Gerald Malloy (D-Darlington) and Sen. Ross Turner (R-Greenville) will work with business and community leaders in developing a coordinated economic revitalization plan for our state.

“These three senators have knowledge in business, regulatory and tourism,” Peeler said in a release. “They are prepared to work with the Governor and his advisory team to revitalize our economy while protecting our citizens’ health.”

Peeler added, “I, like most South Carolinians, hope that our state can be back at full speed soon.”