Palmetto Priority Restaurant Initiative: Decals Available for Download Now

Gov. Henry McMaster and hospitality leaders have launched a new initiative that provides fully compliant restaurants with a state seal to display. The initiative, called the Palmetto Priority seal, will provide a decal to go on display at restaurants that have passed and are willing to comply with state requirements. To meet requirements, the restaurant staff must wear masks, tables must be sanitized per guidelines, adequate spacing must be used, the restaurant must pass a DHEC safety test and inspection, along with other rules. Governor McMaster said that if residents don’t see the placard, don’t eat at the establishment…

Managers must complete a 30-minute course on safeserve.com. If a customer eats at a restaurant that has the seal but is not following guidelines, they can go on the internet and report it. This provides a constant flow of “inspections,” the governor said. This is voluntary for restaurants and there is no penalty for not being a part of it. It takes about 30 seconds for a place to apply and get a sticker, though, according to the state. Restaurants can sign up now at https://palmettopriority.com/, where requirements are outlined, and complete a questionnaire. They can then print the seal from the website. The initiative was created in collaboration with the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.