‘The Last Call’ restrictions to be lifted by the end of next month, governor

Charleston, S. C. – Depending on status and vaccination process, Gov. Henry McMaster says he expects ‘The Last Call’ restrictions to be lifted by the end of next month.

The July restrictions prohibited restaurants and bars selling alcohol after 11 p.m.

“We’re going to have a lot of more vaccines coming in. We think by sometime next month, maybe at the end of the month, maybe before. But things are picking up,” McMaster said.

Many places and business were forced to close due to pandemic. However, a large percentage were forces to close permanently, forever. The pandemic crisis brought unbearable economic effects.

According to some reports, more than 150,000 jobs in the tourism sector were wiped out in the very first weeks of the pandemic in South Carolina.

“If we get through these dark months of January, February, March, I do think the spring start will slowly grow. I think most fall events will continue to take place and not be cancelled or postponed. And I do expect if they can hold on until then, you can see light at the end of the tunnel,” Duane Parrish, the director of South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said.

Hotel occupancy was below 20% when pandemic started. But lately, more and more Americans travel across different states.

Late survey revealed that much more people are willing to travel compared to March last year, resulting in highest numbers compared to pre-pandemic situation.

The state officials are optimistic and look forward about the summer and fall. They expect the economy recover in the upcoming months, especially in the tourism sector.