Do you need to wear a mask on summer vacation? With the reported spread of Covid-19 not declining in most areas local to the Upstate, more and more municipalities are passing temporary ordinances requiring people wear masks at certain businesses.
If you are planning to travel this summer, that could get confusing. The best plan is to just have a set or two of masks on hand in your suitcase or car, so you have them if you need them. Kidding Around’s Melanie has also pulled together this list of mask ordinances in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennesee and Georgia to help you make your travel plans.
This article includes:
Businesses Requiring Masks
Airport Mask Requirements
South Carolina Cities and Towns With Mask Ordinances
Mask Ordinances in North Carolina
Mask Ordinances in Georgia
Mask Ordinances in Tennesee
Mask Ordinances In Florida
Where to Get a Mask
The ADA and Mask Compliance
Businesses Now Requiring Masks
Costco was the first to require masks to be worn by customers, at the beginning of the spread of Covid-19. This week the list of retailers and other businesses got longer.
- Customers will now also be required to wear masks at Costco rival Sam’s Club and Walmart starting 7/20.
- Aldi US will require masks to be worn by guests starting 7/28
- Apple Stores will require masks and temperature checks to enter the store.
- Best Buy will require guests to wear a mask
- Bi-Lo effective 7/27 all customers entering will be required to wear a mask.
- CVS Pharmacy effective 7/20 all customers entering will be required to wear a mask.
- Dollar Tree & Family Dollar will request guests wear a mask
- The Fresh Market is asking that all guests utilize some type of facial covering.
- Ingles will require guests to wear a mask
- Kohls will require masks for guests who enter the store. They are offering a curbside, contact-free option for those who do not wish to wear a mask.
- Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy effective 8/1 all customers entering will be required to wear a mask.
- Home Depot beginning 7/22 guests will be required to wear masks.
- Lowe’s Home Improvement will require masks as of 7/20
- Panera will be requiring masks for all customers who enter the cafe until they are seated and eating. Most locations offer drive-thru and or curbside pick up for those who choose not to wear a mask. To soften the blow they are offering free coffee all summer, which we have gladly been taking full advantage of!
- Petsmart will require guests to wear a mask
- Publix Supermarkets will require masks as of 7/21
- Sephora is requiring employees to wear masks and ask that guests do too.
- Starbucks will be requiring customers to wear masks while visiting all company-owned café locations in the US.
- Target beginning 8/1 guests will be required to wear masks.
- Trader Joes is requesting all guests wear a mask.
- Walgreens will be requiring guests wear a mask
- Whole Foods customers will need masks to enter the store, Whole Foods will provide a mask for those who arrive without one.
The ADA guideline information can be found further down, for those who would like to know what retailers are required to do to accommodate guests with legitimate health limitations.
Airport Travel & Mask Requirements
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
A statewide mask mandate is in place, causing masks to be required at CLT. Passengers who need a mask can pick one up at the TSA checkpoint podiums.
Delta Airlines
Effective July 20th, anyone who books a flight who requests an exemption from the mask requirement must undergo a medical evaluation at the airport before boarding a flight. False claims of a disability or health condition to obtain an exemption for the mask requirement could result in the suspension of travel privileges. Those who are denied a waiver after the consultation will receive a refund for their ticket.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
All airlines require a mask to board a flight however, masks are not currently required at GSP.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
The recently passed city of Atlanta order calls for all persons within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, to wear a mask or a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth. All airlines also require a mask to board a flight.
South Carolina Locations With Mask Ordinances
Statewide Mask Mandate for South Carolina
During the last week of July, the Governor of South Carolina issued the first statewide mandate for masks, to go into effect August 3rd. This is in addition to any local, or retailer ordinances listed in this article.
Indoor dining services will be limited to no more than fifty percent capacity, and employees and patrons are required to wear masks. Tables must be spaced at least six feet apart, and no more than eight customers may be seated together unless they are in the same family. Masks will also be required in all government and state office buildings, effective Aug. 3. Any violation of the new requirements will be punishable by fines of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail, or both.
Wondering where within the State of South Carolina you’ll be required to wear a mask? On this list, you can find the actual ordinance document by clicking on the name of the town.
The City Of Beaufort
Beginning June 30th, all employees and guests of retail establishments will be required to wear masks. This includes all restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, hair salons, passengers of public transportation & tourism-based tours.
Beaufort County
The ordinance, which goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 3, requires people to wear a face covering and practice social-distancing while inside commercial and public buildings in unincorporated Beaufort County.
The Town Of Bluffton
Wednesday, July 1st the Bluffton ordinance will mandate that all those entering any building open to the public in the Town must wear a face covering while inside the building.
The Town of Camden
As of July 3rd, anyone entering a public building must have a mask on.
City of Central
As of July 1st, anyone entering a public building must have a mask on.
The City Of Charleston
The ordinance in effect July 1st, states that people must wear a face mask when entering any restaurant, retail store, or any other building open to the public.
The County Of Charleston
This ordinance includes entering or inside any retail, restaurant, office, or other business location and while entering or inside any Charleston County Government building.
The City Of Clemson
As of Thursday, June 25th, passed a mask ordinance that is to be applied at all buildings that are open to the public and all modes of public transportation.
The City Of Columbia
The mask ordinance in our State capital went into effect on June 26th. It includes the mandatory wearing of masks in all commercial establishments in the City of Columbia.
Dorchester County
As of July 1st, anyone entering a public building must have a mask on.
The Town Of Edisto Beach
As of July 1st, anyone going into restaurants, retail stores, hair salons, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and pharmacies will be required to wear a mask.
The City Of Folly Beach
Effective June 30th, masks will be required in all public buildings. Masks will also be mandatory for all those waiting to enter public buildings, and while using curbside pick-up or outdoors where social distancing isn’t possible.
City Of Florence
Starting July 5th, everyone that goes into a retail or foodservice establishment must wear a face mask.
The City Of Forest Acres
Forest Acres City Council voted to enact a mask ordinance, which mandates the use of face coverings in most public spaces. The ordinance goes in to effect on July 6th.
The City Of Greenville
Greenville City Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday, June 22nd, requiring customers to wear masks while inside grocery stores and pharmacies.
The City Of Hanahan
The mandate in Hanahan that is currently in effect as of June 26th, requires the use of masks by all those occupying public spaces.
Horry County
Horry County includes the cities of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Conway, Loris, Aynor, and Garden City Beach. All customers and employees at retail businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and hair salons, are required to wear masks.
The Town Of Hilton Head
Effective beginning Tuesday, June 30th all people entering a retail establishment will be required to wear a mask. This includes grocery stores, restaurants, hotel common areas, timeshare complexes, pharmacies, bars, hair salons, restaurants, and retail stores.
The City of Isle Of Palms
Effective as of July 1st, all customers and employees of restaurants and retail establishments will be required to wear a mask.
The Town Of James Island
The town of James Island passed an ordinance that will go into effect on July 1st. It requires masks to be worn in all restaurants, retail stores, public transportation, hair salons, and offices.
The Town Of Kiawah Island
Effective as of July 1st, all customers and employees of restaurants (unless seated at a table) and retail establishments will be required to wear a mask.
Lake City
Starting July 4th, everyone that goes into a retail or food service establishment must wear a face mask.
Lexington County
The ordinance signed into law on July 2nd, and effective immediately, requires face masks in all grocery stores, pharmacies, big box stores, and other retail establishments.
The Town Of Mount Pleasant
Effective as of July 1st, all customers and employees of pharmacies, grocery stores, and government buildings will be required to wear a mask.
The City Of Myrtle Beach
The ordinance goes into effect on July 3rd, requiring residents and visitors to wear face masks or coverings in all retail, personal service, food establishments, hotels, amusements, and where a six-foot distance can’t be maintained.
The City Of Newberry
The mask ordinance passed in Newberry will take effect on July 1st, and will include all grocery stores and pharmacies.
The City Of North Myrtle Beach
The policy passed on Tuesday, June 30th, will require face masks to be worn in all retail establishments, groceries, pharmacies, hair and nail salons, barbershops, gyms, and tattoo parlors by employees and patrons.
The City Of Orangeburg
Beginning on July 3rd, all employees and patrons of foodservice and retail businesses will be required to wear a mask.
The Town Of Port Royal
As of July 2nd, anyone entering a public building must have a mask on.
The Town Of Ridgeville
Beginning July 2nd, it will be mandatory for everyone that lives or enters the Town of Ridgeville to wear a face-covering at all times while in public.
Richland County
Effective July 6th, anyone entering a commercial establishment in the county must wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose while inside the business.
The City Of Rock Hill
Effective July 10th, a mandatory face mask requirement will go into effect for public areas within the city limits.
The Town Of Seabrook Island
Effective July 1st, masks will be required when entering all business establishments in the town of Seabrook Island.
The City Of Spartanburg
Spartanburg City Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday, June 29th, requiring customers to wear masks while inside grocery stores and pharmacies.
You can read more about the City of Spartanburg ordinance on our sister site Kidding Around Spartanburg.
Spartanburg County
The resolution encourages everyone to wear a mask while in public.
The Town Of Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island Town Council passed their mask ordinance on July 1st, effective immediately. It requires all patrons and employees of businesses to wear a mask.
The Town Of Summerville
All customers are required to wear face coverings while inside the enclosed area of any retail and foodservice establishment and must wear one when entering any public building in town. Masks must also be worn outdoors when a six-foot distance can not be maintained.
The City of Sumter
Beginning on July 3rd, all employees and patrons of foodservice and retail businesses will be required to wear a mask.
The City of Travelers Rest
Starting Saturday, July 18th, all employees and guests of grocery store and pharmacies must wear a mask. All employees of restaurants and retail shops must wear one in areas open to the general public, where a 6′ distance can’t be maintained.
The City Of Walterboro
The Walterboro ordinance goes into effect on July 1st and requires a mask be worn by all those entering a commercial establishment.
Town of Winnsboro
Beginning on July 3rd, all employees and patrons of foodservice and retail businesses will be required to wear a mask.
North Carolina’s Statewide Mask Ordinance
Effective June 26th, the governor of North Carolina issued an executive order requiring masks in all public areas. People must wear face coverings when in public places, indoors or outdoors, where physical distancing of 6 feet from other people who aren’t in the same household or residence isn’t possible.
Read the entire NC mask executive order.
Georgia Locations With Mask Ordinances
*This is not an inclusive list, we are only including popular GA travel destinations
The Governor of Georgia issued an executive order that only encouraged citizens to wear masks outside their homes. This executive order restricted individual municipalities’ ability to require face covers. The recently extended executive order suspended the enforcement of any law that was more or less restrictive than the governors.
Athens-Clarke County
The Order, effective July 9th, also require masks to be worn by individuals inside commercial entities or other buildings or spaces open to the public.
The City of Atlanta
The order calls for all persons within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, to wear a mask or a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth.
The Order, effective immediately, also require masks to be worn by individuals inside commercial entities or other buildings or spaces open to the public.
The City Of Savannah
On Tuesday, June 29th, The mayor of Savannah signed a mask ordinance effective July 1st. It will require face masks to be worn in all retail establishments, groceries, pharmacies, hair and nail salons, barbershops, gyms, and tattoo parlors by employees and patrons.
The first city in Georgia to enact a mask requirement, Savannah isn’t threatening a simple $25 fine like almost every town and city in neighboring South Carolina is, If you are found in violation of the mandate, you will be provided a mask, free of charge to comply. If someone then willingly ignores the ordinance, they will be given a citation and issued a fine of $500.
The list of Georgia towns requiring masks may grow this week if Savannah is allowed to enforce the mandate. If you are heading to Georgia, be prepared with a mask.
Tennessee Locations with Mask Ordinances
*This is not an inclusive list, we are only including popular TN travel destinations
Chattanooga (Hamilton County)
Effective July 10, 2020, all persons in Hamilton County will be required to wear a mask which covers the mouth and nose at all times while inside all public and private buildings, and when outdoors.
Knoxville
Masks must be worn inside public spaces except when eating or drinking.
Violating the order will be classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by a citation, or 30 days in jail.
Memphis
Masks will be required inside of all public buildings and public transportation. The ordinance went into effect on June 26th.
Nashville
Masks must be worn in indoor and outdoor public spaces, effective July 3rd. Penalties for not wearing a mask include penalties of a Class C misdemeanor.
Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg (Sevierville County)
Masks will be required beginning July 10th, in all indoor spaces. This is in addition to tourism attractions who have required guests to wear them:
- Dollywood
- Dollywood Splash Country
- Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud
- Comedy Barn
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- Dolly Parton’s Pirate Voyage
- Titanic Museum
- Dollywood DreamMore Resort
Across Tennessee, several other counties have released mask requirements, including Davidson, Knox, Williamson, Wilson, Madison and Shelby.
Florida Locations With Mask Ordinances
*This is not an inclusive list, we are only including popular FL travel destinations
Walt Disney World Resorts – Lake Buena Vista
The resort has updated its mask policy (per the WDW website)
“Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing. All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:
- Be made with at least two layers of breathable material
- Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
- At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.
Universal Orlando
All guests will be subject to temperature checks and will be required to wear a mask.
Across Florida several counties have released mask requirements, including but not limited to Miami-Dade, Pinellas, Sarasota, Tampa, and Broward.
Check back regularly for updates to this list.
Where To Get Face Masks Before You Travel
Disposable masks and fabric masks can be found in nearly every retail store now. We’ve seen them at QT, Five Below, Walmart, Asia Pacific, Shops On Trade, and the UPS Store just to name a few.
If you are looking to purchase cloth masks in Greenville, SC, local sellers have them for as little as $5 each. We suggest getting more than one per person so that they can be washed frequently.
The ADA and Accommodations
There’s been a lot of confusion over what a business is and is not required to do with regards to people with legitimate health issues that prohibit them from wearing a mask. The American’s With Disabilities Act provides protections for those who need accommodations to access things that the general public can.
If a person with a disability is not able to wear a face mask, state and local government agencies and private businesses must consider reasonable modifications to a face mask policy so that the person with the disability can participate in, or benefit from, the programs offered or goods and services that are provided. A reasonable modification means changing policies, practices, and procedures, if needed, to provide goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to an individual with a disability. The requirement to modify a policy, practice, or procedure does not include individuals without disabilities, as they are not protected under the ADA.
HEALTH CARE AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. (N.D.). RETRIEVED MAY 29, 2020 FROM HTTPS://ADATA.ORG/FACTSHEET/HEALTH-CARE-AND-ADAReasonable modifications of service to patrons would include:
- Allow patrons to wear a scarf, loose face covering, or full face shield instead of a face mask
- Allow patrons to order online or by phone with curbside pick-up or no contact delivery in a timely manner
- Allow a person to wait in a car for an appointment and enter the building when called or texted instead of a waiting area
- Offer appointments by telephone or video calls
Pro-Tip: Pick up a couple of zippered laundry bags from the dollar store and toss them in your car. Put clean masks in one bag and leave one to hold the dirty masks. When you’re ready to do laundry, just toss the bag with the dirty masks right into the wash.