In response to the stay at home ordinance passed by Charleston City Council last night, the city has received a number of questions regarding the closure of non-essential businesses.
In order to provide guidance, the city’s Legal Department has released a sample list of businesses that would be considered nonessential under the emergency ordinance. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Retail stores and shopping malls (except as exempted by the ordinance)
- Fitness centers, including yoga, barre and cycling facilities
- Entertainment facilities including, but not limited to:
- Music venues
- Theaters
- Museums
- Movie theaters
- Arts and crafts businesses
- Dance schools
- Recreation and indoor sports facilities including, but not limited to:
- Ice skating rinks
- Bowling alleys
- Trampoline parks
- Sporting event venues, including golf courses
- Barber shops and hair salons
- Day spas
- Tattoo and body piercing shops
- Private clubs (except for the provision of food for take-out and/or delivery)
This list may be modified as necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the city of Charleston. An updated version can be found on the city’s website at: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2410/27243/Guidance-on-Stay-at-Home-Ordinance.
In addition to defining essential services, the ordinance allows changes to the essential businesses list as appropriate.
The process for businesses to request to be included among the essential businesses list is as follows:
Businesses that believe they should be considered essential are asked to fill out the Essential Business Review Application on the city website. Applications will be reviewed daily by a committee made up of staff members from the city’s Legal and Emergency Management departments. The Review Committee will then forward recommendations to the mayor based on criteria established by the Department of Homeland Security.
To view the application, visit: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/FormCenter/Corporation-Counsel-7/Essential-Business-Review-Application-94.