South Carolina has joined Florida in implementing a self-quarantine period of individuals traveling into the state from areas heavily impacted by COVID-19.
In an executive order issued on Friday, Gov. Henry McMaster ordered that anyone entering the state of South Carolina from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the city of New Orleans to isolate or self-quarantine for 14 days.
The order reads in part, "...an individual who enters the State of South Carolina from an area with substantial community spread, to include the Tri-State Area (consisting of the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) and the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, shall isolate or self-quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days from the time of entry into the State of South Carolina or the duration of the individual’s presence in South Carolina, whichever period is shorter. This Order shall not apply to individuals employed by airlines and individuals performing or assisting with military, healthcare, or emergency response operations."
McMaster's order came on the same day that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis restricted visitors from New Orleans and other impacted areas, implementing checkpoints on the border between Louisiana and Florida.
The cases of COVID-19 in Louisiana jumped to 3,315 on Saturday afternoon, and the state has one of the highest numbers of cases in the country.
Read Gov. McMaster's full order here.
