Local towns taking extra precautions with Christmas parades due to COVID-19

Officials in Mt. Pleasant are also looking at limiting the number of floats allowed in the parade. Normally they would have 100 floats, but they may cut it down to 50 to 60 floats.

“It’s time that the kids have a break and really get a chance to get out and have a good time,” Mt. Pleasant town Councilman Gary Santos said. “We will encourage everybody to social distance, we’ll encourage everybody to wear their masks and we’ll have a lot more of our public safety folk out there making sure people are doing the right thing.”

When asked what applicants must do the receive approval from the state department of commerce, a spokesperson issued the following statement:

“As outlined in the executive order, SC Commerce works in close consultation with DHEC to review applications for events where more than 250 attendees are expected. Also outlined in the executive order are categories of gatherings not subject to review. In either scenario, event organizers are to adhere to applicable sanitation, social distancing, and hygiene guidelines from CDC, DHEC and any other state/federal public health officials. Additionally, best practices include adhering to 50% or less capacity, requiring face coverings, having appropriate signage, adhering to local ordinances, among other safety/healthy considerations.

Finally, it’s important to remember that event hosts are encouraged to review and complete the general readiness assessment, which aligns with the CDC’s Considerations for Events and Gatherings. This is a critical step to help event planners and administrators protect staff, volunteers and attendees, and slow the spread of COVID-19.”