Masks to be required in “essential” Clemson public places

At the end of a two-hour meeting this afternoon the Clemson City Council approved a new mask requirement rule in the city for what are considered “essential” public places.  They include grocery stores, medical offices, and drug stores, but not banks.  There were two dissenters, including Fran McGuire who failed to get a second on a couple of amendments that would have put more teeth into the new mask law, such as requiring masks for public gatherings in the city of 100 or more people.  On the majority side for ordering facial coverings to be worn in selected businesses, the feeling was expressed that if increasing COVID cases numbers don’t decline or remain the same, then the council can meet and consider stronger measures.  Bob Brookover, who voted in favor, said it’s his hope that even businesses considered non-essential will take public protection seriously by requiring masks so long as that doesn’t create a major effect on their businesses.