Updates on the County's Face Mask Ordinance

Richland County Council adopted an emergency ordinance that took effect July 6, 2020, 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.
At its meeting April 6, 2021, County Council extended the ordinance a fifth time. It is now scheduled to expire June 5.
Read the Ordinance Requiring the Wearing of Face Masks.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear face coverings in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Effective Feb. 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation in the United States.
Mask Distribution Events
Richland County has acquired and packaged thousands of disposable masks, which it continues to distribute at various locations on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find information on these giveaways by visiting the Events page or the County's Facebook page.
- UPDATED: Richland County Councilmembers Jesica Mackey, District 9, Cheryl English, District, 10, and Chakisse Newton, District 11, are partnering with Richland Library to distribute more than 5,000 disposable face masks within their districts.
- Councilman Derrek Pugh, District 2, recently held a series of testing and mask giveaway events in Blythewood and the St. Andrews area. Residents could receive a free COVID-19 test, and face coverings were available first come, first serve.
- Councilmember Allison Terracio is partnering with Richland Library to distribute 2,000 face masks within District 5. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/2IORtAa.
Previous County events

A Richland County employee, right, hands out face coverings at a distribution event in 2020.
Public Health Updates and Useful Links
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
From the S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC)
Learn More
Local and Neighboring Ordinances
Future updates to the ordinance will appear on this page, so check back often.