Greenville City Council has enacted measures to control COVID-19 outbreaks and minimize risk to the community by adopting an emergency ordinance to require individuals and businesses to practice social distancing by:
- Providing hand sanitizer and sanitizing products for employees and customers
- Implementing separate operating hours for elderly and vulnerable customers
- Providing an alternative means of purchasing and delivering products and services, to include online or telephone orders and curbside
- Making regular announcements or placing signage reminding customers and employees of social distancing measures
- Installing protective barriers at check-out counters
- Allowing employees to wear protective masks and gloves
“It is imperative that residents of this great City remain at a safe distance of at least six feet from others while in public, seek non-emergency medical attention, if sick, via a telehealth service provider, continue to be vigilant with hand-washing, remain calm, and only purchase necessary supplies for immediate use,” said Mayor Knox White.
The ordinance will go into effect at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 4. City residents are strongly urged to stay in their homes except for conducting essential business or engaging in outdoor recreational activities permitted by state order.
“Overall, because of the work done with social distancing and keeping people home here in the Upstate, our upslope of cases is gentle compared to Florida and Georgia,” said Prisma Health Physician Dr. Eric Ossmann, in testimony during the special called meeting. “Now is not the time to back off. It is time to double down to discourage people from congregating,” Ossmann said.
A person who fails to comply with this ordinance shall be guilty of a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $100. Each day of a continuing violation of this ordinance shall be considered a separate and distinct offense. Repeated violations of this ordinance by a person who owns, manages or operates a business may result in the suspension or revocation of any occupancy permit or business license. Repeated violations of this ordinance is declared to be a public nuisance, which may be abated by the City by restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction, or other means provided for by the laws of this State.
In the event Governor Henry McMaster exercises any power in a manner that conflicts with a provision of this ordinance, the conflicting portion of the ordinance shall immediately cease to have force and effect. Otherwise, this emergency ordinance shall be terminated by the issuance of another ordinance or shall automatically expire on the 61st day after enactment.