North Myrtle Beach City Council voted on Monday to extend its mask ordinance for another 60 days, citing the benefits of face coverings for slowing the spread of COVID-19.

North Myrtle was the first city in Horry County to pass a mask mandate ordinance when council passed it on June 30. The rules were due to expire on Tuesday.

“Wearing a mask definitely helped,” said Mayor Marilyn Hatley. “I have noticed that our numbers have dropped dramatically. We know that wearing masks works, so I think it’s the right thing to extend this emergency order.”

The law requires everyone to wear a mask or face covering when entering a retail or personal service business such as a nail salon, hair salon, or tattoo parlor. Businesses are not required to enforce the ordinance (police and code enforcement do), but they must post “prominent signage” informing customers of the law.

The ordinance requires masks for employees who interact with the public in restaurants, retailers, government offices and personal service businesses.

People who cannot wear face coverings due to their age or health, people who cannot put on or take off a mask without assistance, and those who have religious objections are exempt from the rules.

Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $ 25 for citizens who break the law, and up to $ 100 for companies who break the rules. For companies that break the rules, each day of non-compliance is considered a separate offense, according to the ordinance.

Last week the Data published by the Department of Health and Environmental Control of SC showing that masks are effective in slowing the spread of the virus, while warning that gaiters are the least effective form of protection. About 40% of Southern Carolinians, around 2 million, live in jurisdictions that have local mask requirements in place, DHEC said.

Among the data released by the National Health Agency last week:

• Jurisdictions with mask requirements showed a 44.2 percent higher decrease in the total number of cases approximately one month after the requirements were implemented compared to the jurisdiction without a mask requirement.

• Jurisdictions without a mask requirement experienced an overall increase in the total number of cases of 1.2% compared to jurisdictions with a mask requirement in place.

The city’s extended ordinance will expire in 61 days, unless council repeals it first.

In addition to masks, health experts say social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and practicing good hygiene are effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19.