South Carolina’s McMaster Rejects State-Level Mask Mandate

Still, governor urged residents to 'wear those masks'

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster at a rally in Columbia, S.C., on June 25, 2018. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster won’t enact a state-level face mask mandate, saying it would not be enforceable, although he urged voluntary mask-wearing to protect America’s most vulnerable from COVID-19.

McMaster urged South Carolinians at a briefing June 26 to wear face masks and practice social distancing amid a spike in new cases among younger people.