Town of Seabrook Island Issues Public Advisory #14 on COVID-19; Statewide “Stay at Home or Work Order” Now in Effect

April 7, 2020 – 8:00 pm
 
Statewide “Stay at Home or Work Order” Now in Effect
Governor Henry McMaster’s “Stay at Home or Work Order,” which was issued on Monday, April 6, 2020, went into effect at 5:00 pm today. The order requires that all South Carolinians must remain at home or work unless participating in one of the following “Essential Activities”:
 

• Caring for or visiting a family member in another residence or transporting or travelling with a family member;
• Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence;
• Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services;
• Caring for pets;
• Engaging in outdoor exercise or recreational activities;
• Attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues, or other houses of worship; and
• Travelling as required by law, to include attending any court proceedings and transporting children as required by court order or custody agreement.

 
On Tuesday, April 7th, Mayor John Gregg issued Executive Order No. 2020-04, which applied the requirements of the Governor’s statewide order to residents and visitors within the town. The Mayor’s order also authorizes the town’s Code Enforcement Officers to issue citations for alleged violations and to work with state and local law enforcement to ensure compliance with the order.
 
More Information: View Governor’s Executive Order No. 2020-21  |  View Mayor’s Executive Order No. 2020-04
 
Beach Status
Town Hall has received several phone calls and emails over the last 24 hours seeking clarification as to whether the Governor’s “Stay at Home or Work Order” prohibits people from using the beach.
 
On March 30th, Governor McMaster issued Executive Order No. 2020-16, which ordered the immediate closure of all public beach access points in the state for the duration of the State of Emergency. Because the beach access points within the Town of Seabrook Island are privately owned, they were not affected by the Governor’s executive order. To date, the Governor has not closed the state’s beaches or any private beach access points.
 
As stated above, the Governor’s “Stay at Home or Work Order” provides an exception for “outdoor exercise or recreational activities.” The Governor’s order does not define what is considered “exercise” or a “recreational activity.” Therefore, it is our understanding that individuals may continue to use the beach for typical activities such as walking, running, and riding a bike, as well as sitting or lying on the beach. Users of the beach must continue to practice “social distancing” while on the beach, and groups of more than 10 individuals shall remain prohibited at all times.
 
Occupancy Restrictions for Retail Stores
The Governor’s Executive Order No. 2020-21 requires “essential” retail stores to limit occupancy to the lesser of 5 customers for each 1,000 square feet of retail space, or 20 percent of their maximum fire rated capacity. As of this afternoon, the Harris Teeter at Freshfields has begun restricting capacity within its store to no more than 70 people at a time. Once the store has reached this capacity, shoppers will be required to line up outside and will not be allowed inside until other shoppers have left the store. In an effort to serve as many families as possible, it is recommended that shopping trips be limited to only one shopper per household.
 
Seabrook Island Town Hall Closed
As a reminder, Town Hall remains closed and members of town staff are working remotely to provide “virtual services” to residents and business owners. For assistance during normal operating hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm), please contact us by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at [email protected]. The town’s Code Enforcement Officers and Beach Patrol will remain active on the island as long as it is safe for them to do so. All public meetings have been cancelled through April 30th, with the exception of emergency meetings.
 
Protect Yourself and Others
To minimize the risk of exposure and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that individuals take the following precautions: 
 

• Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer, avoid of touching your face and mouth, and avoid shaking hands with others. 
• Social Distancing: Maintain at least six feet of separation between yourself and others. 
• Travel: Avoid unnecessary travel, especially to areas of high concentrations of cases of infection. 
• Limit Contact with the Sick and Elderly: Cease visits to nursing homes and other extended care facilities, except in the case of end-of-life circumstances. 

 
More Information
For general questions about COVID-19, please contact the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Care Line at (855) 472-3432. Staff will be available to answer calls from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm seven days a week.
 
For the most reliable information about COVID-19, including what to do if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, residents are strongly encouraged to visit official resources, including the SCDHEC and CDC websites.
 
Official updates from the Town of Seabrook Island will continue to be posted on the following channels:
 

• Town WEBSITE: www.townofseabrookisland.org
• Town TWITTER feed: www.twitter.com/seabrookislnd87
• Town FACEBOOK page: www.facebook.com/townofseabrookisland

 
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests.