March 31, 2020
From the mayor and City Council members: A big thank you to so many in our community for staying home, and following social distancing when out.
CITY OF BEAUFORT: At its special meeting on Tuesday, City Council passed a resolution that:
- Urges all businesses and individuals including rental agencies, real estate companies, hotels, motels and individuals who rent through any online or other agency, to voluntarily stop taking reservations through and to refrain from advertising in or targeting any promotional materials to areas hard hit by COVID-19 through April 30, 2020.
- Urges limiting outdoor recreation to activities that do not involve travel by automobile and avoid areas where groups of people congregate. The City of Beaufort Council encourage such activities as walking and bicycle riding on pathways, streets and open areas that can be accessed from your residence.
- Urges all businesses to follow all the guidelines, mandates, and emergency resolutions set forward by the federal, state, county and local government to properly combat COVID-19. If a business is unable to comply and where the practice of social distancing is impractical, they should consider voluntarily closing through April 30, 2020
The main message reinforced by council was that residents of Beaufort MUST make every effort to stay at home, and only go out for essentials. It was recommended that if it’s necessary to go out, please just have one member of the household run the errands whenever possible. Watch meeting here.
Playgrounds in City parks close Wednesday, April 1, per the governor’s office.
Our building and code inspectors are continuing to work in the field. Please stay 6 feet away from the inspector, or stay in your car until the inspection is done. Thank you!
Waterfront Park playground will be closed for 24 hours on Wednesday, April 1, to allow the Greenery to spray for fire ants.
Remember, under the governor’s directive, no groups larger than three people are allowed to congregate in public spaces (except for immediate families).
THE NUMBERS: The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state climbed past the 1,000 mark today, with 1,083 confirmed cases, and 22 deaths. Beaufort County has 91 confirmed cases. See DHEC map showing where cases are. See ZIP code breakdown here. DHEC’s main page. The Pentagon ordered military bases to not report their numbers, so these numbers may not include Parris Island or the Marine Corps Air Station. Read more here.
GOV. MCMASTER: On Tuesday, the governor ordered all non-essential businesses in the state to close as of tomorrow, April 1. This includes salons, barber shops, spas, entertainment venues, tattoo parlors, fitness centers, tourist attractions, and theaters. Read more here. On Monday, he ordered public access to all beaches, rivers, and waterfronts closed. Read more here. In the City of Beaufort, this includes the Downtown Marina.
BEAUORT COUNTY: Beaufort County officials will participate in a teleconference tomorrow, April 1, at 9:15 a.m., with community leaders on the front lines of COVID-19 efforts. They will share federal, state and local updates, and how it impacts our Lowcountry community. The audio event will be carried live on Beaufort County’s The County Channel.
BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: The hospital has set up a screening tent in the parking lot next to its emergency room for patients with mild fever and respiratory complaints. Patients MUST have a doctor’s order to be tested. Details can be found here. Beaufort Memorial primary care doctors will now see most patients via telemedicine. Read more here.
The hospital explains how it continues to prepare for more cases here.
If you are interested in making donations to the hospital please go to www.beaufortmemorial.org/covid19support for a list of needed items, as well as how and where to donate them. Go to Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s website for the latest information on what you should do if you believe you have symptoms.
HELPING EACH OTHER: Beaufort County is keeping an up-to-date list on non-profits that provide help for those in need, including food pantries. Find it here.
The Community Foundation of the Low Country has begun a COVID-19 Response Fund to rapidly deploy resources to community-based, frontline nonprofit organizations addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties. It is seeded with $100,000 and the foundation is challenging the community to match it.
BUSINESS RESOURCES: The Beaufort County Regional Chamber of Commerce has a Coronavirus Resource Center devoted to resources for businesses in our community and suggestions on how we can safely support those businesses. Find it here.
Beaufort County also has a list of business resources. Find it here.
Congressman Joe Cunningham has a list of federal, state and local resources for small businesses. Find it here.
Law firm Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP has prepared a resource page for South Carolina employers that includes regulatory and unemployment information. This Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQ is from the U.S. Department of Labor.
RESTAURANTS, ETC: Beaufort Curbside To Go & Delivery Facebook page has the latest on our many restaurants and how we can support them (safely!)
The Beaufort CVB (Visit Beaufort, Port Royal & the Sea Islands) has a page devoted to updates on events (many canceled); interactive maps, etc. Find it here.
BAHA (Beaufort Area Hospitality Association) has a Facebook page where it is posting jobs. As we know, many of those in the hospitality industry (wait staff, chefs, tour operators, etc.,) are hurting right now. If you know of job opportunities, please send to BAHA. Find it here. BAHA also has a resource page. Find it here.
BAHA has also set up a #SAVEYOURFAVES for #LATERDAYS to get the word out on local restaurants and businesses that offer gift cards for purchase on their websites or by calling the business. Purchase a gift card from one of your favorite local restaurants or double #GIVE by purchasing one and gifting to a local first responder, police officer, nurse or healthcare staff, or anyone directly working to help us fight this devastating virus.
Website w/participating Locations: https://bit.ly/3dthmjX
TALKING TO YOUR KIDS: There are many sites that have suggestions from experts about how to talk to your children during this unsettling time. Here are a few: KidsHealth; PBS; CDC.
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Have your kids (or you!) check out these cams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and San Diego Zoo. The zoo and aquarium are closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sea life and animal life virtually. Also great for kids: illustrator Wendy MacNaughton’s #DrawTogether live class on her Instagram page at 1 p.m. M-F. https://www.instagram.com/wendymac/
BIKING: If you are using the Spanish Moss Trail, make sure you keep your social distance of 6 feet and keep your group to no more than three people.
ONLINE EXERCISE: A big thank you to the local exercise and yoga studios, as well as the YMCA, for offering online classes and videos. Find them on this Facebook post.
Remember, you can’t wash your hands too much! Keep your distance, but smile and say hi to your neighbor when you pass them on the street. We’ll get through this! #togetherbft