South Carolina gov ends COVID-19-related state of emergency

COLUMBIA,S.C. (AP)– Gov. Henry McMaster has ended South Carolina’s ongoing pandemic-related state of emergency. The Republican said during a news conference Monday that the coronavirus situation in the state had improved to the point that it was no longer necessary. Over the course of the pandemic, McMaster has issued 30 separate emergency declarations. Those allowed him to put forth a plethora of accompanying executive orders allowing him to set temporary policies aimed at reining in the spread of COVID-19. Public health officials say about 1.6 million South Carolinians have completed the coronavirus vaccination process, or about 38% of the eligible population.