Beaufort Harbor & Waterways Public Survey

Requirements for Open Businesses

Executive Order 131 Requirements for Open Businesses

 

Any business that is open as permitted by Executive Order 121 MUST follow these requirements from Executive Order 131:

 

A. Emergency Maximum Occupancy.

  1. The occupancy of all operating retail establishments shall be limited to be no more than:
    • Twenty percent (20%) of the stated fire capacity; or
    • Five (5) customers for every one thousand (1000) square feet of the retail location's total square footage, including non-customer-facing portions.
  2. If the retail establishment has reached Emergency Maximum Occupancy or expects to reach Emergency Maximum Occupancy, it must post sufficient staff at store entrances and exits to enforce the Emergency Maximum Occupancy limit.
  3. The Emergency Maximum Occupancy shall be posted in a conspicuous place.

B. Social Distance Markings.

  1. To encourage the minimum Social Distancing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (''CDC''), all operating retail establishments must clearly mark six (6) feet of spacing:
  1. In lines at cash registers; and
  2. In other high-traffic areas for customers, such as at deli counters and near high-volume products, inside the retail establishment.

All operating retail establishments must enforce these limitations.

  1. In addition, operating retail establishments which have reached or expect to reach Emergency Maximum Occupancy must clearly mark six (6) feet of spacing in a designated line outside the establishment.
  1. Cleaning and Disinfection. All operating retail establishments shall perform frequent and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas with a disinfectant approved by the  Environmental Protection Agency ('"EPA'') for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).

 

II.The following additional measures are RECOMMENDED by Executive Order 131, but are not required:

  1. Reduce Transmission Among Employees.
  1. All retail establishments are encouraged to supply, provide education on proper use, and encourage the use of cloth face coverings for all employees in positions that do not allow them to consistently maintain a six(6)-foot distance from other employees or customers, subject to the availability of these products.
  • 2. All retail establishments should instruct employees to stay home if they are sick.

3. To encourage the minimum social distancing recommended by the CDC, all retail establishments are encouraged to mark six (6) feet of spacing in high-traffic areas within the staff-only portions of the establishment's premises.

B. Hand Hygiene.

  1. All retail establishments are encouraged to place hand sanitizer prominently at entry and exit points, subject to availability of this product and to have disinfecting wipes and/or sprays that are EPA approved against SARS-CoV-2 available for shopping carts and baskets.
  2. All employers should have their employees wash hands or use hand sanitizer, subject to the availability  of that product, between interactions with customers and other employees.
  1. Designated Shopping Times for Seniors and At-Risk Groups. All retail establishments are encouraged to designate exclusive shopping times for seniors and other at-risk groups as defined by the CDC.
  2. Signage for Social Distancing. All retail establishments are encouraged to post signage that reminds customers and employees about required social distancing (at least six (6) feet apart).
  3. Online Ordering, Curbside Pickup, and No-Contact Checkout. All retail establishments are encouraged to develop and use systems that allow for online, email, or telephone ordering, no- contact curbside or drive- through pickup or home delivery. and contact-free checkout.
  4. Additional Recommendations for High-Volume Retail Establishments. High-volume retail establishments, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, are strongly encouraged to take the following additional measures to promote social distancing (at least six (6) feet apart) of customers and prevent spread of respiratory droplets:
  5. Use acrylic or plastic shields at cash registers.
  6. Clearly mark designated entry and exit points.
  7. Provide assistance with routing through aisles in the store.

Text Box: Business owners are responsible for enforcing the requirements in Section I within their establishments. The Beaufort Police Department will periodically check businesses for compliance as required by the executive orders. Violations may result in a citation being issued to the business owner. Violations may be prosecuted as a Class 2 misdemeanor. The Beaufort Fire Department will supply businesses with their Emergency Maximum Occupancy.

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