Beaufort County is concerned about the health and well-being of our residents and visitors. County leadership, including public safety and emergency management officials, continues to closely monitor developments related to Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly called Coronavirus – or COVID-19.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Beaufort County has implemented a COVID-19 operations plan this evening, Sunday, March 15, until further notice, upon the Governor’s State of Emergency in effect for South Carolina and due to the local COVID-19 outbreak. The goal of the plan is to minimize exposure between County staff and the public. To do so, a strategic and temporary reduction in County staff is in effect. The plan is subject to change while active to include essential departments possibly changing to non-essential status. Changes to this plan impacting the at-large community will be made public.

Many County locations will remain open, but with limited staff who will conduct internal and external business telephonically and electronically as much as possible. The public should expect to experience County staff practicing social distancing. We ask citizens to proactively limit their interactions with County staff as much as possible and to do as much business as possible with the County online. Citizens are also strongly encouraged to limit their visits to County buildings unless having urgent business matters that must be handled in person.

The following County locations will be closed to the public beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 16 through at least Tuesday, March 31:

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department (Beaufort and Bluffton locations)
• Animal Shelter (no adoption or pet glancing/visiting)
• Assessor’s Office (all locations)
• Business License Department (all locations)
• Disabilities and Special Needs Department (all non-residential programming)
• Library branches and bookmobile services
  
• Parks and Recreation facilities and pools
  
• Records Management Department
• Register of Deeds’ public deed room

Additionally, FOIA services and public visitation at the Detention Center are suspended until further notice. All Convenience Centers will remain open according to their normal operating schedules for now.

Operations at the Hilton Head Island Airport and Lady’s Island Airport remain available. Travelers should contact their airline carrier for questions about flight schedules. Information on the operating status of the nation’s major airports can be found at www.fly.faa.gov. Inquiries regarding flight information at Hilton Head Island Airport should be directed to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United.

Emergency and public safety services remain available as normal. Visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov for additional information.

Please continue to follow only official government sources of information.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Beaufort County Council plans to hold its currently scheduled meetings during the declaration of emergency; but, in the interest of public health and due to the coronavirus outbreak, citizens are reminded that all County Council regular and committee meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 2, Hargray channels 9 and 113, and Spectrum channel 1304, as well as live-streamed on our website via The County Channel. Additionally, public comments and public hearing comments are accepted in writing via email to the Clerk of Council at sbrock@bcgov.net or PO Drawer 1228, Beaufort SC 29901. Other County-sponsored public meetings are subject to cancellation or postponement. Updates will be provided on the County’s website calendar at www.beaufortcountysc.gov.

REMINDERS AND HELPFUL LINKS
The chain of command and direction and control during a public health emergency is different than what is exercised during a natural or human-made disaster. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is the lead agency. DHEC officials are working closely with our federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you do not have a primary care physician, please be advised that the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health Virtual Care is offering free virtual care consultations and screenings to anyone in South Carolina experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms. New and existing patients should use the promo code COVID19 when logging into the site: https://campaigns.muschealth.org/virtual-care/index.html. No appointment is necessary, and this
service also covers other conditions, such as allergy/hay fever, pink eye, sinus infection, pink eye, sore throat, or the common cold. You can also call 843-261-5940 for more information.

• DHEC News Releases and Videos
• South Carolina Office of the Governor
• COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment Tips
  
• CDC Guidance for Flu Prevention
  
• COVID-19 Educational Flyers