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In effort to stem outbreak, South Carolina shuts off late-night boozing

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gov. Henry McMaster has banned the sale of alcohol at bars and restaurants after 11 p.m., issuing a “last call” executive order Friday.

The governor said the executive order is aimed at younger people and hopes it will help in the effort to try to get the state’s skyrocketing coronavirus numbers under control.

“Our elderly residents are most at risk,” McMaster said. “We’re worried about the younger generations unintentionally spreading to the older generations, that’s what we’re very worried about.”

South Carolina was one of the first states to reopen on April 24, though McMaster never fully shut the state down. The state also does not have a mask mandate, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends to slow the spread of the virus.

Channel 9 learned the order will impact almost no one in Rock Hill. The bars and breweries on Main Street close at 11 p.m. or even earlier already. The most popular places on weekends aren’t open past 11 p.m. either.

It's business as usual at Small Bar in Fort Mill after a two-month closure.

The bar changed its hours when it reopened, so it now closes at midnight.

“Obviously, we like to be open as much as we can to help the patrons out,” said Jason Mohr, bar manager at Small Bar.

He said the bar has a late-night crowd and the last call order wasn’t good news.

"We have people who come out at 8 p.m. knowing we're open until midnight, so this could really hurt us depending on if they come out or not," Mohr said.

Mohr said he knows it's for the best, and he is glad they're allowed to be open for business.

“I’ve got friends in North Carolina that haven’t been able to open yet. In that case, it’s definitely better than back tracking and having to close for good,” Mohr said.

Outbreaks across the state have been traced back to Myrtle Beach, where vacationers have been flocking after being cooped up by COVID-19 for months. Myrtle Beach has since issued a mask mandate.

The state has emerged as a virus hotspot, at one point being listed as the fourth-highest new infection rate in the nation.

Officials with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said that nearly half of the COVID-19 cases in South Carolina have been reported in the past two weeks and 22% of all confirmed cases in the state are in people between the age of 21-30.

“It’s time for our younger adults to behave like mature adults. Wear your mask, ”McMaster said.

Under the order, which goes into effect Saturday, bars and restaurants cannot sell liquor or beer after 11 p.m. It does not apply to alcohol sold at convenience or grocery stores, wine and liquor stores, or retail business.

The order also does not apply to any holder of the following licenses: on-premises beer and wine permit, winery permit, brewpub beer/wine permit, brewery permit, business liquor by the drink license, nonprofit private club liquor by the drink license, special event permit, or special nonprofit event permit.

“We know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “This measured, carefully tailored approach will lessen the opportunity for South Carolinians to put themselves and their loved ones in harm’s way.”

Health officials recently released a chart ranking the risks involved in various activities during the pandemic. Going to a bar was ranked as one of the most high-risk activities along with going to a concert and eating at a buffet.

There are approximately 8,000 restaurants and bars permitted by the S.C. Department of Revenue for on-site sale and consumption of alcohol.

McMaster warned that the order is a mandate and it will be enforced. Any business that defies the order could have their license taken.

A similar rule was issued in a North Carolina county this week. Orange County, which includes Chapel Hill, says businesses won’t be able to sell alcohol after 10 p.m and restaurants will also have to close dining rooms by 10 p.m.

So far we haven’t heard of any counties in our area considering something like this.