Local utilities are giving ratepayers a break.

Urged by Gov. Henry McMaster, several providers have pledged not to shut off essential services due to nonpayment.

The Town of Lexington resolved last week that:

1. Utility cutoffs for nonpayment are suspended.

2. Late fee assessments for non-payment of Hospitality Tax are suspended.

3. Town court personnel will meet SC Supreme Court guidelines to ensure no defendants are unfairly prejudiced or jailed longer than required.

The emergency ordinance will expire after 60 days.

Dominion Energy, Santee Cooper, Mid-Carolina Electric and Blue Granite Water Co. announced they will disconnect no services for Lexington County residents who cannot pay now.

Dominion will restore power for customers who lost it.

Santee Cooper promised not to disconnect power through April 2 as the company monitors covid-19’s impact. It will reevaluate the situation then.

Mid-Carolina said its members must pay their bill eventually.

Late payment penalties and reconnect fees still apply.

Blue Granite President Don Denton promised to reconnect service to all customers until March 30, and will reevaluate it then.

“We know a safe and reliable source of potable water is vital for hand washing, surface cleaning, and all other measures to mitigate covid-19,” he said.