Town of Seabrook Island Issues Public Advisory #23 on COVID-19; Emergency Restrictions Extended through February 14, 2021

December 16, 2020 -- 12:00 pm

Emergency Ordinance Extended through February 14, 2021
During its monthly meeting on December 15th, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Emergency Ordinance 2020-07, which repealed and replaced the provisions of Emergency Ordinance 2020-06, which was set to expire on December 22nd. Under the provisions of Emergency Ordinance 2020-07, the town:

• Extended the requirement for ALL PERSONS to wear a face covering when inside any portion of a business establishment that is open to the public or to customers;
• Extended the requirement for ALL EMPLOYEES to wear a face covering while engaged in face-to-face interactions with customers anywhere on the premises of a business establishment, including outdoor areas;
• Extended the requirement for ALL PERSONS to wear a face covering while waiting in line to enter a business establishment;
  
• Extended the requirement for ALL PERSONS in groups of two or more unrelated individuals while sharing a vehicle, boat, golf cart, or other mode of transportation which is provided by a business establishment for use on the premises of the business establishment to wear a face covering when separation of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained; 
  
• Extended the requirement for ALL PERSONS to wear a face covering while using the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association beach access points designated as Boardwalks 1-9, including associated wash stations; 
  
• Extended the requirement for ALL PERSONS attending an allowed gathering of more than ten people which is duly permitted pursuant to the temporary use permit provisions of the ordinance to wear a face covering;  
• Modified emergency restrictions for restaurants, bars and group congregations consistent with the Governor’s Emergency Order No. 2020-73;
• Extended emergency provisions to allow for remote participation and voting in Town Council, board and commission meetings;
• Grants Town Council the ability to approve the issuance of temporary use permits if it determines that the organizers or sponsors of the event or activity will undertake reasonable measures to minimize the risk of spread of COVID-19 within the Town in consequence of such event or activity;
• Extended the limitation of group congregations to no more than 10 individuals, except in instances where the Governor has expressly allowed larger gatherings by executive order; and
• Repealed Emergency Ordinance 2020-06 in its entirety.

 
Persons found guilty of violating the requirements of Emergency Ordinance 2020-07 are subject to fines ranging from $50.00 to $500.00 per violation, plus required statutory assessments. Businesses found guilty violating the ordinance shall be subject to fines ranging from $100.00 to $500.00 per violation, plus required assessments. In addition to fines, business establishments found guilty of violating the ordinance may also have their business license revoked or suspended. Each violation shall be treated as a separate offense.
 
The requirements of Emergency Ordinance 2020-07 were effective immediately upon adoption, and will remain in effect until February 14, 2021, unless repealed or extended by Town Council. A limited number of exceptions to the use of face coverings are provided in the ordinance, which may be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.
 
Alleged violations of the emergency ordinance may be reported to Seabrook Island Town Hall by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at info@townofseabrookisland.org.
 
Virtual Care and Testing Resources
MUSC Health and Roper St. Francis continue to offer free virtual care screenings to individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If you or a loved one are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19, you are encouraged to speak with a provider and, if necessary, be referred for a COVID-19 test. Use the promo code "COVID19" when you log in.

• MUSC Health Virtual Care Website​
• Roper St. Francis Virtual Care Website

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control maintains a list of upcoming COVID-19 testing locations around the state, some of which are available at no cost and without a referral or appointment.

• View COVID-19 Testing Locations (SCDHEC)

Protect Yourself and Others
To minimize the risk of exposure and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals take the following precautions:

• Wear a Face Covering or Mask: The CDC recommends – and town ordinance now requires – the wearing cloth face coverings or masks in public settings.
• Social Distancing: Maintain at least six feet of separation between yourself and others. 
• Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer regularly; avoid touching your face and mouth; and avoid shaking hands with 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 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 and managers with rental guests should forward this information to their rental guests. Owners and managers of commercial establishments are also encouraged to share this information with their employees.