Folly Beach bars visitors again during coronavirus pandemic hours after reopening island

After beachgoers rushed to the waterline and residents protested the city's decision to reopen to guests after some legal confusion, the council voted unanimously to close the coast to out-of-towners again.

City Council had rolled back its March 20 ban on beach access Friday in response to a nonbinding opinion from Attorney General Alan Wilson saying only the governor can implement a stay-at-home order. Gov. Henry McMaster extended the existing state of emergency Saturday but didn't command South Carolinians to avoid public areas as the state recorded 660 total coronavirus cases and the nation surpassed 120,000.

Folly today. See pics. Ridiculous to ban locals who are following the rules. The protestors were in closer proximity than the beach goers. MUCH more at risk at a gas station or grocery store than on that beach. RIDICULOUS that they ban access. Ridiculous. #follybeach pic.twitter.com/YyAynaDmRz

— CarolinaGirl (@CHScarolinagirl) March 29, 2020