The Spartanburg Chamber Executive Board and the Bringing Back the Burg Business Recovery Task Force support Spartanburg County Council's resolution, passed today, encouraging the use of face masks in grocery stores and pharmacies across the county, as well as county-owned facilities, to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The full text of the resolution can be found below.

RESOLUTION NO. R-20-84

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

WHEREAS, it is well recognized that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COIVD-19, presents a public health concern that requires extraordinary measures and vigilance; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared a world-wide pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020 the President of the United States has declared a National Emergency for the United States and its territories in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has spread across the state with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“SCDHEC”) confirming the localized person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in South Carolina, which indicated a significant risk of exposure and infection and creates an extreme public health risk; and

WHEREAS, as of July 1, 2020, the total number of confirmed cases in South Carolina is approximately 37,809 and the number of confirmed deaths is 759. The number of confirmed cases in Spartanburg County is 1,662; and

WHEREAS, the number of cases is growing rapidly and if COVID-19 continues to spread in the County, the number of persons relying on medical, pharmaceutical, and general cleaning supplies will increase, the private and public sector work force will be negatively impacted by absenteeism, and the demand for medical facilities may exceed locally available resources; and

WHEREAS, it is vitally important that we all work together to decrease the widespread proliferation of COVID-19 among us all now rather than suffer the unfortunate and devastating consequences later; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and SCDHEC advise the use of face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, taking measures to control outbreaks minimize the risk to the public, maintains the health and safety of the County’s residents, and limits the spread of infection in our communities and within the healthcare delivery system; and

WHEREAS, in order to protect, preserve, and promote the general health, safety and welfare and the peace and order of the community, the County is taking steps to try and protect the citizens and employees of the County from increased risk of exposure; and

WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, County Council deems it proper and necessary to adopt this Resolution in order to encourage (a) patrons of grocery stores and pharmacies to wear face coverings while inside the store in light of the fact these establishments sell essential goods such that individuals do not have a meaningful choice to decide not to shop there and (b) all employees and patrons of County owned facilities where social distancing is not possible to wear face coverings.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Council of the County of Spartanburg, South Carolina, in a meeting duly assembled, that due to the real and present concern of the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are encouraged for all patrons of grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as for patrons and employees of all County owned facilities where social distancing is not possible.

This Resolution shall become effective immediately. All orders, resolutions and parts thereof in conflict herewith are, to the extent of the conflict, hereby repealed.

Done in meeting duly assembled this 2^nd day of July, 2020.