North Myrtle Beach leaders vote to end state of emergency

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - North Myrtle Beach city leaders are ending their COVID-19 state of emergency.

During a special called meeting on Friday, the North Myrtle Beach City Council voted against extending the declaration and ordinance, and against extending the face coverings ordinance, city spokesperson Pat Dowling said.

The Declaration of State of Emergency and the Emergency Ordinance extensions expire March 28.

Prior to the meeting, Dowling said it could result in another extension, changing the state of emergency or canceling it all together.

“I really don’t know,” Dowling said. “There’s interest on council for extending it for 60 days, there’s some interest in not extending or extending for a lesser time frame. Even if council extends it for 60 days, they have the right to meet again to rescind it.”

Dowling said the proposal from staff was to end the reference to restaurants for face masks but keep the rest as is.

Mask rules for restaurants changed recently, with Gov. Henry McMaster removing mask requirements for restaurants earlier this month and simply making them a suggestion. North Myrtle also no longer requires masks in restaurants.

RELATED: City of North Myrtle Beach no longer requiring masks at restaurants

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