Town of Seabrook Island Issues Public Advisory #7 on COVID-19: Statement from Mayor John Gregg3/22/2020
March 22, 2020 -- 10:00 pm
In the last 48 hours, the town has received multiple calls and emails from residents, property owners and visitors regarding access to Seabrook Island and its beaches. Given the existing protocols already in place to limit public access through the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) security gate, neither the Town nor SIPOA have implemented additional access restrictions at this time. Below is a statement from Mayor John Gregg regarding the town’s current status, as well as recommended actions that individuals may undertake to limit their exposure to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). ---------- Statement from Mayor John Gregg As you may know, several area “beach communities,” including Edisto Beach, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, have implemented restrictions on access to their beaches. In fact, those restrictions are in line with control of access to the Town’s beaches that is effected by the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (“SIPOA”). That is, to have access to SIPOA’s beach accesses, it is necessary to have access through SIPOA’s security gate which is allowed for property owners, residents (including those who are not property owners) and their invited guests (by passes authorized by property owners and residents). Currently, “rental guests” can have access through the gate by virtue of having arranged a stay at a Seabrook Island property. The restrictions of the aforementioned beach communities similarly allow persons who have arranged rentals in those communities to access their beaches. I acknowledge the concerns expressed by some that an influx of rental guests and others into Seabrook Island increases the potential for spread of coronavirus here. No matter any limitations that may be imposed by governmental authorities on access to the Town’s beaches or access to the Town, we must each take responsibility for our own behavior to lessen the chances for being infected. The one practice that is available to all and that is universally recognized as being effective for spread of this disease is “social distancing” (separation by six feet or more from others). That practice is effective because the virus is spread through contact and the recommended separation will place you beyond direct ingestion of virus present in droplets expelled by coughs or sneezes of an infected person. Avoidance of groups of ten or more is a practice to help individuals practice “social distancing”—much more difficult when in the midst of groups of people. Practicing “hand hygiene” is effective to avoid indirect contact infection where live virus that persists on surfaces you touch is transferred from your hands to membranes at your face that would allow the virus to enter your body. Practicing “hand hygiene”, means frequent washing of hands with warm, soapy water to kill virus on the hands and wash away the killed virus; and avoiding touching your face with your hands to prevent transfer of virus from your hands to membranes at your face. The measures taken by the beach communities of Edisto Beach, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island were spurred in part by failure of beach goers to practice “social distancing”. By recent action of the Governor, law enforcement is specifically tasked to enforce state law providing for dispersal of groups of three or more on SC beaches. That enforcement can include fine and imprisonment. When on our beaches, the Town’s Code Enforcement Officers will be asking groups of beach goers they encounter to observe “social distancing” or disperse. I urge those of you who are hosting friends or family to remind them of the importance of practicing “social distancing” while they are on our beaches. If you own property occupied by rental guests, please ask those rental guests to practice “social distancing” while on our beaches. Kind regards, John Gregg Mayor, Town of Seabrook Island ---------- 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:
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests. 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:
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:
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:
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 March 17, 2020 -- 8:00 pm To protect the public health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors, Mayor John Gregg has declared the existence of a State of Emergency within the Town of Seabrook Island as a result of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The declaration was effective at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and will remain in effect until repealed by the Mayor or a majority of Town Council members. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and consistent with the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Mayor and Council of the Town of Seabrook Island have implemented the following emergency measures:
At this time, the town’s State of Emergency has NOT impacted the following activities; however, residents and visitors are strongly advised to heed the recommendations of state and federal agencies:
Seabrook Island remains subject to both the National Emergency and statewide State of Emergency declarations which were issued by President Donald Trump and Governor Henry McMaster, respectively, on Friday, March 13, 2020. By executive order, the following restrictions are now in effect on a statewide basis:
To minimize the risk of exposure and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that individuals take the following precautions:
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 as new information becomes available:
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests. More Information State of Emergency Declaration: Issued March 17, 2020 (PDF) March 16, 2020 -- 8:00 pm
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Governor Henry McMaster ordered the closure of all public schools in the State of South Carolina for students and non-essential employees beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, and extending through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. This order applies to all public K-12 schools, as well as state-supported colleges, universities and technical schools. Seabrook Island families that have students enrolled in private schools should contact those schools directly for further information about their operational status. On Monday, March 16, 2020, President Donald Trump announced new guidelines to combat the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). According to these new recommendations, people should:
At this time, the Town has not declared a State of Emergency; however, Seabrook Island remains subject to both the National Emergency and statewide State of Emergency declarations which were issued by President Trump and Governor McMaster, respectively, on Friday, March 13, 2020. The Seabrook Island Town Council has scheduled an Emergency Meeting for 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Consistent with recent recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to “social distancing,” the Town of Seabrook Island is requesting that members of the public who wish to observe this meeting dial in by telephone:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that gatherings of 50 or more people be cancelled or postponed. The CDC also recommends that individuals practice “hand hygiene” (frequent hand-washing, avoidance of touching one’s face and cessation of “hand-shake” greetings), “social distancing” (maintenance of spatial separation from others—6 feet separation), avoidance of travel to areas of high concentrations of cases of infection, cessation of visits to nursing homes and other extended care facilities, except in the case of end-of-life circumstances of the person being visited. 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, residents are strongly encouraged to visit official resources, including the SCDHEC and CDC websites. At 3:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a National Emergency over the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and announced a set of specific measures aimed at stemming the effects of the outbreak. The declaration frees up approximately $50 billion in federal funds under the Stafford Act to fight the fast-spreading virus. The declaration grants broad authority to the Secretary for Health and Human Services to waive provisions of certain laws and regulations to give doctors and hospitals maximum flexibility to respond to the virus and requires every state to open emergency operation centers. President Trump also announced that he was waiving interest on all student loans held by federal government agencies and has directed the Secretary of Energy to purchase large quantities of crude oil for the US strategic reserves to take advantage of low oil prices.
At 5:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020, Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency to enhance the state's response to the COVID-19 virus. The Governor’s emergency declaration includes:
At this time, the Town of Seabrook Island and Charleston County government remain under normal operating conditions. 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, residents are strongly encouraged to visit official resources, including the SCDHEC and CDC websites. Read More Presidential Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Governor Henry McMaster's State of Emergency Declaration Officials from the Town of Seabrook Island participated in a county-wide conference call on March 13, 2020 regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The call was convened by the Charleston County Emergency Management Department (EMD) and included medical professionals from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).
At this time, there is no state of emergency. The Town of Seabrook Island, Charleston County and the State of South Carolina are currently operating under normal conditions. Major points from this call included the following:
For the most reliable information about COVID-19, residents are strongly encouraged to visit official resources, including the SCDHEC and CDC websites. Town of Seabrook Island participated in a county-wide conference call on March 6, 2020, convened by Charleston County Emergency Management Department (EMD). Participants on the call included medical professionals from South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).
Following are some of the major points from that call:
For more information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), residents are strongly encouraged to visit the SCDHEC website. The Town of Seabrook Island has announced the dates for our annual FREE shredding events in 2020:
Both events will be held rain or shine and will take place in the parking lot adjacent to Seabrook Island Town Hall (2001 Seabrook Island Road). Attendees will be limited to three boxes (copy paper box or smaller) or three bags (kitchen trash bag or smaller) per vehicle. There is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding. Shredding services will be provided by Shred360. For more information, please call Town Hall at (843) 768-9121. On January 15th, Mayor John Gregg authorized the Town Administrator to solicit bids from at least three paving contractors for the purpose of repairing sections of the town’s bike path along Seabrook Island Road. In the interest of public safety, and in an effort to reduce the turnaround time for making these repairs, the Mayor authorized these services to be procured following an expedited procurement procedure in accordance with the Town Code.
On February 5th, while walking between Town Hall and Freshfields Village, an individual was reported to have tripped and fallen on a section of the pathway that had been damaged by a tree root. That individual was taken by EMS responders to a hospital. In light of this incident and to minimize the risk of injury to bicyclists and pedestrians, the town made the decision to close the pathway between Town Hall and Freshfields Village. The pathway was closed to traffic on February 6th and has remained closed since that time, pending repairs. On February 11th, the town awarded a contract for the demolition and repaving of damaged sections of the pathway. The town has also authorized its landscape contractor to undertake pruning of tree roots that are affecting the pavement where the repairs will be made. Repair work on the pathway is expected to begin on Tuesday, February 18th. The contractor estimates that the repairs will take approximately 3 weeks to complete; however, this timeline will be highly dependent upon weather conditions. The pathway may be re-opened in sections as conditions allow. Access points along the pathway have been barricaded at Town Hall, across from Andell Bluff Boulevard and at Freshfields Village. For your safety and the safety of our contractors, DO NOT WALK OR RIDE AROUND THE BARRICADES. During the construction process, motorists on Seabrook Island Road may encounter cyclists riding in the road right-of-way. Motorists and cyclists are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the state of South Carolina’s bicycle laws, and to always use caution when using Seabrook Island Road. Additional rules and safety tips may be found on the Palmetto Cycling Coalition’s website. For more information, please contact Seabrook Island Town Hall at (843) 768-9121. In consequence of an incident that took place on Wednesday, February 5th, the bike path on the outbound lane of Seabrook Island Road will be CLOSED between Town Hall and Freshfields Village beginning on Thursday, February 6th at 4:00 pm for pending repairs. We regret the inconvenience but have determined that closure of the pathway is appropriate to protect public safety. The pathway on the inbound lane between Landfall Way and Bohicket Marina will remain open.
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