United Way of Horry County is committed to serving our neighbors and our community through this unprecedented time. Our team is working to bring you the most up to date resources and updates so please continue to monitor our site regularly.
For immediate assistance or referrals in our community call 211 or visit SC211.org.
For food resources click HERE.
Updates May 14, 2020
State of Emergency
As of Wednesday, May 13th, Horry County Council decided to end its state of emergency. However, most local municipalities have extended state of emergency orders.
Updates May 12, 2020
Horry County Schools
Horry County High Schools will hold in-person graduation. Each school’s principal will have options regarding location and whether all students will celebrate at the same time.
Nonessential Businesses to Reopen
Governor McMaster declared that close contact businesses such as gyms, babershops, and salons will be allowed to reopen the week of May 18th.
Updates May 11, 2020
Indoor Dining
Governor McMaster authorizes limited indoor dining services. Restaurants are allowed to offer limited 50% capacity in their inside dining rooms. It is necessary that workers uphold industry sanitation standards,
Updates May 8, 2020
Horry County Schools’ Meals-To-You Program
Horry County Schools’ Nutrition Services still wants to provide food to students while school has closed. This new Meals-To-You program is a partnership with the school district, the US Department of Agriculture, and Baylor University.
This program will deliver meals to your doorstep for free to students who attend one of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools and to students who are currently registered for free/reduced lunch. Meals will be delivered until June 30, 2020.
Registration for this program ends this MONDAY, MAY 11TH. To sign up and learn more click HERE.
Updates May 6, 2020
New Website for Information
Governor McMaster announced a new website to serve as a central hub for coronavirus information in SC. The site includes information on the state’s executive orders, tax relief for struggling businesses, advice for staying healthy, and updates on reopening the state. You can access this site by clicking HERE.
Updates May 4, 2020
Home or Work Order
Governor McMaster has lifted the “Home or Work” order that had been in effect since April 7th.
Outdoor Dining
Restaurants are now allowed to serve customers outside instead of only allowing take-out.
Updates April 29, 2020
Beach Access Openings
Public beach access in Myrtle Beach is now open. Hotels, short-term rentals, and other accommodation services in Myrtle Beach could reopen this week. There will be a vote on Thursday, April 30th.
Hotels, resorts, and campgrounds will be back open this week in North Myrtle Beach and unincorporated Horry County.
Local Elections Postponed
Governor McMaster ordered that local elections set for May will be postponed. New dates have not been announced.
Updates April 27, 2020
Horry County Schools
Beginning on Monday, April 27th, free student meals will resume with the support of Operation BBQ Relief until Friday, May 8th. This venture was made possible through the efforts of South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina National Guard/ To learn more and for a complete list of pick-up and delivery locations, click HERE.
Updates April 23, 2020
Horry County Schools
Horry County Schools has decided to suspend in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. Instruction will remain online and at home. Dr. Maxey, school superintendent, also decided to hold virtual graduation for the class of 2020. Learn more HERE.
State Parks to Reopen
South Carolina State Parks will begin to reopen May 1st. Trails, beaches, picnic areas, rivers and lakes will open for visitors. Picnic shelters, community buildings, and park offices will remain closed. There will also be a limited number of visitors allowed in the park at one time.
Updates April 21, 2020
Public Beach Access
At 12pm on April 21, the order closing beaches across the state will be lifted. The decision regarding public beach access will be up to local jurisdiction.
City of Myrtle Beach public beach access and adjacent parking will remain closed until the emergency declaration expires, City Council directs otherwise or the emergency order is lifted. Read more about Executive Order #7 HERE.
City of North Myrtle Beach will reopen public beach access at noon on Tuesday, April 21. Social distancing shall still be practiced and groups of 3 or more will be dispersed. Read more about the order HERE.
Surfside Beach will be open with restrictions such as no sitting, no sunbathing, no chairs/blankets. For exercise only. Beach access parking limited to vehicles with a town issued parking decal.
Atlantic Beach is predicted to make a decision on Tuesday, April 28th.
Pawleys Island beach access to remain closed until Monday, April 27th at 12pm.
Horry County unicorporated areas will reopen on Tuesday, April 21st at noon. Social distancing will be enforced.
Murrells Inlet Marshwalk will continue to be closed.
Nonessential Businesses to Reopen
The order closing certain nonessential businesses such as furniture stores, department stores, clothing and shoe stores is canceled. These stores may only allow 20% of the total occupancy of five customers per 1,000 square feet inside the store at one time.
Updates April 17, 2020
Public Boat Ramps Reopen
Governor McMaster has issued a revision to an executive order that reopens public boat landings and ramps in South Carolina. The ramps will reopen for the purpose of launching or retrieving a boar beginning at 12pm on Friday. The revision specified that public boat landings and associated parking areas can now be opened at the discretion of the local goverment or other managing authorities of those landings.
However, those on a boat must be limited to two per boat with the exception of individuals living in the same households. The boat must also be in constant motion. This means beaching or rafting on sandbars, lakeshores, riverbanks or islands is prohibited. Those fishing are allowed to anchor in the water.
Horry County Schools Meal Program Suspended
Several Horry County Schools Nutritional employees tested positive for COVID-19. In precautionary efforts, the school district has decided to suspend lunch programs for two weeks. If you are in need of food, check out the Voluntary Organization’s Active in Disaster (VOAD) website where they have a map of food locations available. If your organization is having a food distribution event, submit that information on the VOAD website.
Updates April 9, 2020
Unemployment
Governor McMaster issued a new executive order authorizing and directed DEW to allow furloughed employees to be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Read the executive order HERE.
Updates April 7, 2020
Stay at Home Order
Governor McMaster has issued an order for everyone to stay at home unless they are making essential trips or going to work. This order goes into effect on Tuesday, April 7 at 5pm. This order does not include visiting family, trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, and getting exercise. Additionally, no more than 5 people per 1,000 square feet of a store will be allowed at any given time. Those who disobey the order can face a misdemeanor criminal charge with up to 30 days in jail and/or $100 fine for each day of violation.
Myrtle Beach Regulations
Myrtle Beach delivery service drivers must now wear face masks and clean their hands before each delivery in the city. Bus drivers, taxi drivers, and ride share drivers must stay 6 feet from passengers. If they cannot stay 6 feet away, they must also wear face masks.
Updates April 6, 2020
More Nonessential Businesses to Close
Governor McMaster has ordered a wider range of nonessential business to close including stores selling furniture, clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Florists, book stores, craft and music stores, and sporting goods stores were also ordered to close. These businesses will be closed beginning at 5pm on Monday, April 6.
Updates April 1, 2020
Nonessential Business Closures
Governor McMaster issued a closing for all nonessential businesses. These businesses include, but are not limited to, entertainment venues, athletic facilities, nail salons. hair salons, waxing salons, massage and physical therapy, tanning salons, threading salons, and tattoo parlors.
Updates March 31, 2020
Beach and Waterway Closings
Governor McMaster has closed beaches, public boat ramps, and public landings as of Monday, March 30th. Read more about the closure HERE.
Ban on Indoor Dining Extension
Governor McMaster has extended the ban on indoor dining through April 12, 2020.
Updates March 25, 2020
Food Distribution
There will be a food distribution event this Friday, March 27 from 10am-12pm. The event will be held at the Myrtle Beach Bowl located at 101 Gray Drive in Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. Contact 843-236-1020 for more information.
Updates – March 24, 2020
Social Distancing
Governor McMaster has authorized law enforcement officials to prohibit or disperse crowds of 3 or more people. The beaches along the Grand Strand are still open and can be responsibly enjoyed. Law enforcement will be patrolling the area. Failure to comply can result in a misdemeanor. Read the Executive Order HERE.
Small Business Association
The United States Small Business Association’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Program provides small businesses with working capital loans to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue experienced during COVID-19. Small businesses can apply HERE.
Updates – March 20, 2020
As doctors and government leaders work to control the coronavirus, two anti-virals have emerged as possible treatments. Read more about this breakthrough HERE.
