On May 1, Gov. Henry McMaster issued a new executive order that changes how state office closures are handled during severe weather or dangerous situations in Richland and Lexington counties.

This decision comes after a detailed report conducted by the Department of Administration's Division of State Human Resources, which compared South Carolina’s closure policy to 11 different states.

For Lexington and Richland Counties, McMaster, alongside emergency officials, will decide if state offices should close during hazardous conditions.

This includes state-supported colleges and technical schools in the counties. The other 44 counties in South Carolina will not be affected by this new executive order unless told otherwise by the governor.

"For years, our policy has appropriately deferred to local officials when making closure decisions, but as more state agencies move or expand their operations into Lexington County, it’s time we modernize our approach to make it more consistent for state employees living and working in the Midlands," McMaster said in a press release. "This change will also ensure that citizens in all parts of the state have consistent access to the critical state government services their tax dollars pay for, especially during emergencies."

McMaster explained this updated executive order will help ensure state employees and citizens in the Midlands will receive a clear decision during emergencies.

The Department of Administration's Division of State Human Resources will be responsible for communicating the governor's closure decisions.