At his Thursday coronavirus press conference, SC Gov. Henry McMaster said he, by executive order, will reopen the state’s public boat ramps for fishing and recreation.

“One of the first steps in moving back toward revitalization,” said McMaster. “It is a small step, but it is a step. There will be more.”

McMaster also said projections are that the coronavirus peak will come in early May. Some things, he said, would be opened in May. He did not say when the state would be cleared to open all businesses, but he did say there are no plans to change the June 9, political primary date. He said indications are that things will be normal by then.

“It’s not quite time yet,” McMaster said.

“The end is in sight,” said McMaster, but he said there is a lot of work to do and we “cannot let up.” SC Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said there will be changes toward recovery in a staged way in May.

McMaster said he expected South Carolina’s economy to be “humming” by the end of June, before the beginning of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The governor also announced the formation of a group called “Accelerate SC.” That group will include representatives of industries like manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, and more. It will be formed to find the best practices to rebuild the state’s economy to its previous level of strength.