(Columbia, SC) -- A state of emergency is in effect for Columbia for at least 60 days. It was issued by Mayor Steve Benjamin, then approved by the City Council on a 5-to-1 vote.
Under the emergency, masks are now required in over 40 schools and daycares, including all of the public schools in Richland County School District One that fall inside the city limits.
Governor McMaster's office says the order violates the proviso in the state budget that prohibits mask mandates in schools, but Mayor Benjamin says it does not violate state law because the city will pay for the masks and fire marshals will enforce the requirement.