April 6, 2020
Governor says stay home. City Council says stay home. Stay home!
GOV. MCMASTER: On Monday, the governor ordered a mandatory stay at home order effective 5 p.m. April 7 unless you are working, visiting family, recreating outdoors, or obtaining essential services. He also said the retail stores that are still open (grocery stories, hardware/home improvement stores and pharmacies) must implement social distance measures to ensure that not more than 5 customers are allowed in a store per 1,000 square feet, or not more than 20% capacity. At his press conference, McMaster said that too many people in the state were on the roads, in stores, or on their boats. He said the rate of infection was increasing in the state. See McMaster’s executive orders.
At the governor’s press conference, Adjutant General Van McCarty said that the state is preparing to add hospital beds (as many as 3,000) to meet anticipated needs. Read story here.
CITY OF BEAUFORT: City Council issued its own shelter-in-place order Monday at an emergency meeting (held virtually) effective at 1 a.m. Tuesday. It will dovetail with the state’s new order. City Council members acknowledged that they did not have the authority to “keep people in their house” but they believed that the severity of the coronavirus spread in Beaufort County made it important for Council to urge via official language that people stay at home. Restrooms at City parks are now closed. See press release. See FAQ.
THE NUMBERS: As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state is 2,232, and 48 deaths. Beaufort County has 163 confirmed cases. See DHEC map showing where cases are. Nicholas Davidson, acting director of Public Health, urged people to wear cloth masks when they go to a store, as well as use social distancing measures. Read more here.
TAKE A BREAK: A series of videos featuring Beaufort performing and visual artists will bring a smile to your face as you and your family stay at home.
BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: Have you seen the hospital’s #StayAtHome challenge? The best thing we can do for all the doctors, nurses, aides and service staff at BMH is to stay home, so that we don’t contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
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.
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.
BEAUFORT JASPER WATER & SEWER: A plea from them – don’t flush any paper products in the toilet other than toilet paper. It’s gunking up pipes and plants.
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 United Way of the Low Country has a helpline. Please call 843-524-4357(HELP). United Way has also started a COVID-19 relief fund, and is asking for donations. More information here.
Help of Beaufort, 1810 Ribaut Road, Port Royal, is open 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mon-Fri. They have groceries and gently used clothing. Curbside grocery pick-up now and clothing racks and shoes outside. All of our food and clothing is free. We are a USDA certified pantry. Here is a win-win: Donate $35 to Help of Beaufort, which provides services for those in need, and you can get a smoked ham for Easter. Find details 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.
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations is extending the license renewal deadline for licenses, registrations, and permits scheduled to renew during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. The new renewal deadline is extended to September 30. Full information here.
Reminder: Beaufort City Council waived certain penalties and fees for late payment of business license renewals or hospitality and accommodations tax filings until June 20. Read more here.
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
#togetherbft