S.C. Department of Commerce expands online resources

Listen to this article

The S.C. Department of Commerce is expanding its online resources to assist companies in response to an executive order temporarily closing nonessential businesses in the state because of new coronavirus concerns.

Nonessential businesses include night clubs, concert venues, tourist attractions and indoor children’s play areas not including daycares. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s order (.pdf) goes into effect at 5 p.m. today.

Businesses needing clarification of their status must complete a Clarification of Business Designation form on the Commerce Department’s website. The department will respond within 24 hours, according to a news release.

A list of nonessential businesses is available on the department’s business resources page.

McMaster issued the order March 31, saying: “We must do everything we can to stop the spread, be as aggressive as we can be using the facts, science, data and the knowledge and recommendations of the experts in the field, but at the same time, not going too far and destroying businesses and jobs that people are depending on.”

On Tuesday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced four additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the state total to 22. Three patients were elderly individuals with underlying health conditions, while one patient was middle-aged with no underlying health conditions, according to a news release from DHEC.

DHEC reported 158 additional cases of COVID-19 to bring the statewide total to 1,083 in 42 counties. The agency also said that a testing backlog caused by a nationwide shortage in needed chemicals has been eliminated. As of March 27, DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is testing specimens seven days a week, with results available in 24 to 48 hours, according to the release.