March 26, 2020 -- 5:00 pm

Mayor Issues Executive Order to Restrict Gatherings. On March 26, 2020, Mayor John Gregg issued Executive Order 2020-01. The order prohibits gatherings of more than ten people while outside their homes and requires people within groups of ten or fewer people to practice “social distancing” by maintaining a minimum separation of six feet between individuals. Violations of this order are punishable in accordance with provisions of the Town Code, including the imposition of fines of up to $500.00 per violation. The town’s Code Enforcement Officers are authorized to enforce the Order and are also authorized to cooperate with state and county law enforcement officers in their enforcement of the Governor’s Executive Order No. 2020-13, which allows for the dispersal of gatherings of three or more individuals if the officers determine that the gathering poses a threat to public health. The Mayor’s Order was effective immediately and will remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency. The order applies to gatherings at all indoor and outdoor locations throughout the town (including, but not limited to, the beach, the Lake House, the Island House and Bohicket Marina), but does not apply to gatherings within an individual’s residence. More Info: Executive Order 2020-01 | Statement from Mayor Gregg

Seabrook Island Beach Patrol. The town’s Beach Patrol services were scheduled to begin on April 1st. As a result of the Mayor’s Order, the town has elected to activate this contract early. The town’s Beach Patrol will commence services on Friday, March 27th and will continue providing daily service through September 30th. In addition to enforcing the town’s general beach ordinances, the town’s Beach Patrol Officers have been authorized to enforce Executive Order 2020-01, and may issue citations to individuals who fail to comply with the requirements of this order. At this time, the town’s beaches remain open; however, beachgoers must limit their group size to no more than ten people, and beachgoers must also practice “social distancing” at all times.  

Seabrook Island Town Hall Closed. Town Hall staff are currently working remotely to provide “virtual services” to residents and business owners by phone and email. 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 info@townofseabrookisland.org. The town’s code enforcement officers will remain active on the island as long as it is safe for them to do so. As a reminder, all public meetings have been cancelled through April 30th, with the exception of emergency meetings. 

Charleston County Offices Closed. Charleston County government has announced that all county offices will be closed to the public beginning on Friday, March 27th. County staff will remain accessible by phone and email. Several county services, including tax payments and building permits, may be accessed on the Charleston County website. The Charleston County landfill will remain open at this time, and solid waste and recycling services will continue to operate on a normal schedule. The county’s judicial center will remain open for limited hours on weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

Seabrook Island Village Offers Assistance to Individuals on Seabrook Island. In the spirit of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” Seabrook Island Village (SIV), a local 501(c)3 organization, realizes that there may be many people on Seabrook Island who might need a little assistance because they are impacted by, or may be at a higher risk, during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the SIV Board has decided to extend grocery shopping and prescription drug pick-up services at Freshfields to non-members. If you would like to use this service, please call SIV at (843) 580-2088 or visit their website. Please join us in thanking SIV and its volunteers for providing these important services to residents of Seabrook Island.

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.

​On September 24, 2019, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2019-09, which amends the leash requirements for pets on all beaches within the town limits of Seabrook Island.
 
The request to amend the town’s leash requirements was initiated by a citizen petition received in February 2019. Over a period of seven months, the Town Council carefully considered relevant information from a variety of sources, including the petitioners, Coastal Science and Engineering (the Town’s Beach Management consultant), Seabrook Island Beach Patrol, Seabrook Island Birders Group, Seabrook Island Dog Owners Group, Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Prior to adoption, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance was advertised and held on September 17, 2019.
 
The new ordinance, which will go into effect on October 24, 2019, divides the beach into three zones:

​For purposes of the new ordinance, the following definitions shall apply: 

No later than one year from the effective date of Ordinance 2019-09, council shall review the terms of the ordinance and determine whether it has worked effectively and achieved the objective of balancing the interests of all users of the beach. Following such review, council shall amend the ordinance, if and to the extent, it deems necessary.

As a reminder, violation of any town ordinance, including the town’s leash requirements for pets on the beach, is a misdemeanor and violators may be subject to fines of up to $1,087.50 (including court fees) upon conviction.

For more information about the town’s leash requirements, please call (843) 768-9121 or email jcronin@townofseabrookisland.org.