Gov. Henry McMaster has stated schools can't enforce mask wearing. | Facebook
Gov. Henry McMaster has stated schools can't enforce mask wearing. | Facebook
Despite Gov. Henry McMaster's recent announcement stating that schools can’t require the use of facemasks, the University of South Carolina will require masks in all campus buildings.
State Rep. Gary Smith (R-Greenville County), tweeted that he wasn’t stunned that the institution of higher learning decided to go against McMaster’s orders.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the U of SC, who ignored state law for years requiring the teaching of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, would ignore state law prohibiting mask mandates,” he wrote July 31 on Twitter.
The USC announced last week that face coverings will be required at all times inside campus buildings as coronavirus cases are on the rise throughout the state and U.S. due to the highly contagious delta variant.
“Gamecocks, I’m disappointed that these measures are necessary, as we hoped for different circumstances when we came back together,” USC President Harris Pastides said in a WBTW News13 report. “As the pandemic evolves, we will continue to face some challenges, but I’m confident that our Carolina family will do the right thing and take these measures seriously so that we can relax these requirements as soon as conditions allow.”
The university said that face coverings will not be required outdoors on campus. People will also be able to remove face coverings in their own residence halls rooms, private offices, or when eating inside campus dining facilities.
The decision was also made in part due to low vaccine uptake statewide and high disease transmission rates in Richland County.
Alerts Sign-up