Richland County, South Carolina

UPDATE: Richland County Adds Mask Distribution Events on Fridays

Keep checking this page for more updates on the face mask ordinance. 

General Info

Richland County Council adopted an emergency ordinance that took effect July 6 and requires people over 10 years old to wear face coverings while in most public places. This is in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, which has prompted Gov. Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency.

On Aug. 31, Council extended the ordinance. It is now set to expire in November.

Read the County's updated Ordinance Requiring the Wearing of Face Masks. 

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19. The agency points to increasing evidence that such face coverings help those who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others.  

Have questions/concerns? Read or print a face mask FAQ.

Print a face mask brochure to use in your business.

Mask Distribution

A Richland County employee hands out face coverings at a recent distribution event. The County is giving away the masks at various events in the coming months.

Richland County recently acquired and packaged about 67,000 disposable masks, which are being distributed at various sites in packs of two on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“We will be hosting several mask distribution events in the coming weeks to ensure residents have access to masks so we can help slow the spread of coronavirus in our community,” County Administrator Leonardo Brown said.

Richland County Councilmember Allison Terracio, District 5, is partnering with Richland Library to distribute 2,000 face masks within her district. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/2IORtAa.

Watch this page for more information on these events.

Oct. 5: Richland County Adds Mask Distribution Events on Fridays

Sept. 28: Councilperson Terracio to Help Distribute Masks in Five Points

Sept. 23: County Councilwoman McBride to Distribute Masks at Census Event

Sept. 14: Councilwoman Dickerson to Distribute Free Masks to Residents

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Use of Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• How to Make Masks

From the S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC)

• Use of Cloth Face Coverings (COVID-19)
• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19: Flyer in English (PDF)
• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19: Flyer en espanol (PDF)

Local/Neighboring Ordinances

• Arcadia Lakes 
• Blythewood (PDF)
• Cayce (PDF)
• Columbia
• Eastover (PDF)
• Forest Acres
• Irmo (PDF)
• West Columbia (PDF)