A face-covering ordinance remains in effect in the City of North Myrtle Beach. The ordinance may be terminated by City Council issuing a resolution or it will automatically expire upon termination or expiration of the City's Emergency Declaration and Ordinance regarding COVID-19 on December 4, whichever date is earlier.
SECTION ONE:
1. All persons entering any retail business, including but not limited to grocery stores and pharmacies and any business where personal services are dispensed including but not limited to hair and/or nail salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors in the City must wear a face covering while inside the establishment. In the event that the face-covering interferes with the personal service provided, such as a haircut, the face-covering can be removed while the personal service is being dispensed. The business shall not have responsibility for enforcing this requirement but shall post conspicuous signage at all entrances informing its patrons of the requirements of this section.
SECTION TWO:
2. All restaurants; retail establishments including but not limited to, grocery stores pharmacies; businesses providing personal services including but not limited to hair and nail salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors; all government offices in the City must require their employees to wear a face-covering at all times while having face-to-face interaction with the public.
EXEMPTIONS:
Exemptions from this Ordinance: Any person who is unable to safely wear a face-covering due to age, an underlying health condition, or is unable to remove the face covering without the assistance of others; any person whose religious beliefs prevents them from wearing a face covering.
ENFORCEMENT:
This Ordinance shall be enforced by a City code compliance official or law enforcement officer. (Since the inception of the face-covering ordinance in June 2020, code enforcement personnel have responded to all complaints about the face-covering ordinance.)
FAILURE TO COMPLY:
A person who fails to comply with Section 1 of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $25.00.
A person who fails to comply with Section 2 of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00. Each day of a continuing violation of this Ordinance shall be considered a separate and distinct offense.
RECOMMENDATION:
The City recommends that all restaurants within the City participate in the Palmetto Priority program established by the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association to provide a clean and safe environment for their staff and customers.