From Staff Reports

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. —   The City of Myrtle Beach has decided to reopen all of its beaches, a move that allows people access to one of the state's most-visited locations after weeks of being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an April 28 report on Columbia television station WXLT.

Myrtle Beach City Manager John Pedersen on April 28 rescinded the emergency order that had closed public beach access and parking areas. 

On April 20, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced that beaches could reopen, but left the final decision to open to local governments. At that time, Myrtle Beach decided it would not reopen, and many major beaches in Charleston and Hilton Head also decided to hold off.

One city, however, that did not delay was North Myrtle Beach, which reopened the day after McMaster's revised order was announced. 

Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach officials said although access is granted immediately, it may take a day or two for all barricades to be removed. People are allowed to walk around the barricades. 

The city is reminding everyone to practice safe social distancing and that those rules will be enforced. Parking meters also are being enforced, seven days a week, 9 a.m. to midnight., unless otherwise posted. 

The city planned to meet again on April 30 to discuss hotels. Those locations are allowed to accept new reservations beginning May 1, unless the client is coming from a coronavirus hotspot as defined by the governor's office.

Georgetown County, which borders Horry County where Myrtle Beach is, said it would reopen its public beaches May 1.