As more businesses in SC slowly begin reopening, we’ve heard from readers with questions and concerns about when life could start getting back to normal. Today, we wanted to check in with you about how you’re feeling – and when you’ll personally feel ready to step back into restaurants, movie theaters, concert venues and more. We’ve created a short poll to collect your feedback, and we’ll share the results in a newsletter next week. And thanks to The Hustle for this article, which provided the original inspiration.

Here’s where we’re at:

○ We are currently in Phase One of One Region’s (an organization sponsored in part by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Explore Charleston and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance) reIGNITE plan. More details on that here.

○ Restaurants were allowed to open for limited capacity patio dining on May 4 and resume indoor dining (limited to 50% capacity) on May 11 with these restrictions.

○ South Carolina schools are to remain closed through the end of the academic year.

○ SC Governor Henry McMaster launched a volunteer organization called accelerateSC. It has been working to “identify issues, solutions, and assets necessary for a phased revitalization path for South Carolina’s economy, guided by healthcare and medical data.”

○ Retail stores that were closed pursuant to Executive Order 2020-18 were allowed to reopen on April 20 with limited occupancy.

○ Governor McMaster cancelled his executive order that closed all beaches on April 21, allowing local mayors and governments to determine the best time to reopen their beaches.

Here’s what’s up next:

○ On May 12, Governor Henry McMaster extended South Carolina’s state of emergency for an additional 15 days. The order allows officials to take “additional proactive action,” continues inmate visitation suspension + implements protective measures for first responders.

○ Starting Monday, May 18, close contact service providers, fitness and exercise centers, commercial gyms, and public or commercial pools in South Carolina will be able to open in a limited capacity. Close contact service providers include barber shops, hair salons, waxing salons, threading salons, nail salons and spas, body-art facilities and tattoo services, tanning salons, massage-therapy establishments and massage services.

○ Governor McMaster signed legislation this week allowing all SC voters to vote absentee in the upcoming primary elections on June 9.

That’s what we’re allowed to do. But what will you actually be comfortable doing as quarantine lifts? We want to hear from you. Take our survey below (now through Tuesday, May 19) to share your thoughts on when it will be safe to do things like eat at restaurants, enjoy an outdoor concert, or travel.

Survey