Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info

Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency in response to the pandemic of COVID-19, or coronavirus. Click the links below for COVID-19 news and updates from South Carolina and around the nation.

Following social distancing protocols, most Richland County Government meetings and events remain open to the public on a virtual basis.

Helpful Resources

In Richland County

• Coronavirus Resources webpage: Find mapping tools and other resources from County departments as well as federal, state and local agencies on this page created by Richland County GIS.
• Face mask info page: Get updates on the face mask ordinance in effect for Richland County. 
• Richland County Courts and Judicial System: Find updated schedule and contact information.
• Richland County employees: Telehealth medicine options for COVID-19

In S.C. and nationally 

• The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have valuable information on state and national issues related to COVID-19, along with updates on monitoring and testing, frequently asked questions and more.
• Palmetto Priority: A formal commitment made by S.C. restaurateurs to provide a clean and safe environment for their staff and customers to demonstrate the extensive precautions that they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• U.S. Wage and Hour Division's Twitter feed: The division, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards.
• Spanish tweet on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

More info of interest

• Columbia Museum of Art: Video with Della Watkins, CMA executive director
• The COMET: What's new (COVID-19 updates)
• Richland Library: COVID-19 update
• South Carolina State Museum: COVID-19 Collections Donations

In the News

October 2020

• Richland County Adds Mask Distribution Events on Fridays (Monday, 10/5)
• Prisma Health and Richland County work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless population (Thursday, 10/1)

September 2020

• Councilperson Terracio to Help Distribute Masks in Five Points (Monday, 9/28)
• County Councilwoman McBride to Distribute Masks at Census Event (Wednesday, 9/23)
• Councilwoman Dickerson to Distribute Free Masks to Residents (Monday, 9/14)
• County Council Extends Mask Ordinance (Tuesday, 9/1)

July 2020

• Register of Deeds Updates Policy on Appointments (Wednesday, 7/15)
• Richland County Council Adopts Emergency COVID-19 Mask Ordinance (Thursday, 7/2)

June 2020

• Richland County Seeks Feedback on Wearing Masks to Stem COVID-19 Spread (Tuesday, 6/23)
• Statement from Richland County Councilman Joe Walker (Friday, 6/19)
• County Office Offers No-Touch Thermometers to Businesses (Monday, 6/15)

May 2020

• County Taps Prisma Health for Assistance on Reopening County Facilities (Friday, 5/29)
• National EMS Week Recognizes Work of Community Heroes (Friday, 5/15)
• County Councilman Hands Out Masks at Food Giveaway (Monday, 5/4)

April 2020

• Tele-Town Hall for Southeast Richland to Focus on Utilities Project, COVID Response (Thursday, 4/30)
• County Office Expects Delays After Temporary Closure (Tuesday, 4/28)
• Councilwoman Thanks Church, Community for COVID-19 Response Efforts (Tuesday, 4/28)
• Richland County Council OKs COVID-19 Grants for Small Businesses, Nonprofits (Friday, 4/24)
• Richland County Helps Procure 40,000 Meals for Seniors (Monday, 4/20)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to Meet Thursday (Wednesday, 4/15)
• County Manufacturers Pitch in to Help Medical Providers During COVID-19 (Monday, 4/13)
• County Council Approves COVID-19 Response to Help Community (Wednesday, 4/8)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to Meet Monday (Monday, 4/6)
• Residents Encouraged to Complete Census Survey During COVID-19 Shutdown (Wednesday, 4/1)

March 2020

• County Council Calls Virtual Meeting on COVID-19 (Tuesday, 3/31)
• County Urges Use of Online, Mail-in Services During Health Crisis (Monday, 3/30)
• Richland County Continues COVID-19 Briefings (Friday, 3/27)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to Meet Saturday (Friday, 3/27)
• County Announces Changes to Trash Collection Amid COVID-19 Outbreak (Wednesday, 3/25)
• County Council to Receive Daily COVID-19 Briefings on County's Response (Tuesday, 3/24)
• Richland County Continues COVID-19 Briefings (Friday, 3/27)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to Meet Saturday (Friday, 3/27)
• County Announces Changes to Trash Collection Amid COVID-19 Outbreak (Wednesday, 3/25)
• County Council to Receive Daily COVID-19 Briefings on County's Response (Tuesday, 3/24)
• SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to S.C. Small Businesses Impacted Financially by Coronavirus (Friday, 3/20)
• Curbside Pickup for County Residents Could Be Delayed (Friday, 3/20)
• County Offices Closed to Public; Services Still Accessible (Thursday, 3/19)
• County Government Buildings to Close to Public, Nonessential Staff on Friday (Thursday, 3/19)
• Council Chair Signs Emergency Disaster Declaration (Tuesday, 3/17)
• Residents Advised to View County Council Meeting on TV or Online (Monday, 3/16)
• POSTPONED: Richland County Counts! 2020 Census Block Party Event for March 19 (Monday, 3/16)
• CANCELED: North Main Street Widening Project: Quarterly Meeting (Monday, 3/16)
• Access Restricted to County’s Judicial Center as Precautionary Measure (Thursday, 3/12)
• Richland County Presents Plan for COVID-19 Response (Thursday, 3/12)
• Richland County Prepares Response to Potential Coronavirus Threat (Friday, 3/6)

County Council Discusses COVID-19

• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee (Tuesday, 7/28)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee (Tuesday, 5/19)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee (Tuesday, 5/12)
• Richland County Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee (Thursday, 4/16)
• Special Called Meeting regarding the County's response to COVID-19 (Tuesday, 3/31)