Town of Seabrook Island Issues Sixth Public Advisory on COVID-19 (Coronavirus); State of Emergency Remains in Effect

03/20/2020 -- 8:00 pm
 
On Friday, March 20, 2020, officials from the Town of Seabrook Island participated on a countywide conference call which was convened by the Charleston County Emergency Management Department to discuss ongoing efforts related to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Representatives from various state and federal agencies, as well as regional healthcare providers, local municipalities and public service districts, also participated in the call. Key messages highlighted during the call included:

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Charleston County, the State of South Carolina and across the country. As of Friday, there were 125 confirmed cases in 25 counties across South Carolina.

 

• Starting Monday, March 23rd, Charleston County buildings will only be open to the public between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. County staff will continue working normal business hours to assist citizens via phone and email. This does not include the Judicial Center, which had previously limited public access.

 

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) continue to stress the importance of preventative measures such as “hand hygiene” and “social distancing” to limit the spread of COVID-19.

 
On Friday afternoon, Governor Henry McMaster directed agents with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and local law enforcement agencies to “disperse crowds” gathered on state beaches to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The governor later tweeted that residents should “responsibly maintain social distance while enjoying our state’s beaches.” The Governor previously ordered the closure of all public schools; the cessation of all dine-in activities at restaurants, bars and cafeterias; the closure of state offices to non-essential personnel; waivers on eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits; and restrictions on visitors to healthcare and nursing facilities.
 
At 4:00 pm on Friday, Seabrook Island Town Hall was closed indefinitely. Beginning on Monday, March 23rd, town staff will be 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 will remain active on the island as long as it is safe for them to do so, and Beach Patrol activities will commence on April 1st, as scheduled.
 
Harris Teeter at Freshfields has announced that they will begin offering designated hours for individuals 60+ years of age. The designated “senior hours” will take place on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 am to 7:00 am. In an effort to reduce overcrowding and avoid long lines at the store, Harris Teeter has also requested that guests, particularly rental guests, send only one individual per family, party or household to do the grocery shopping at any one time.
 
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.

 
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 of Seabrook Island Website (www.townofseabrookisland.org)
• Town of Seabrook Island TWITTER feed (www.twitter.com/seabrookislnd87);
• Town of Seabrook Island FACEBOOK page (www.facebook.com/townofseabrookisland)

 
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests.
 
More Information
 
Charleston County COVID-19 Updates

Governor McMaster’s Executive Orders