Good afternoon Island residents,

The COVID-19 pandemic remains an evolving situation.  The Town of Sullivan’s Island, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Charleston County Emergency Management Division, Town of Mt. Pleasant and City of Isle of Palms, continues to monitor the rapidly emerging outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prepare for potential impacts.  Earlier this morning during a conference call DHEC confirmed 2417 cases of COVID-19 in all 46 South Carolina counties with 305 cases in Charleston County and 4 cases confirmed currently on Sullivan’s Island.  Sadly, there are 48 recorded deaths in the State with one death occurring in Charleston County as a result of the virus. Please visit the SCDHEC and CDC websites for the latest information on the pandemic.

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has projected that the next two weeks can see a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed positive cases in the State. Projections indicate that fatalities could be in excess of 440 individuals statewide through May.  Moreover, SCDHEC and CDC indicate a strong correlation between isolation and lower death rates. To that end you may click here to read Governor McMaster’s Executive Order 2020-21 effective today at 5:00 PM.  Highlights of the order include, inter alia, the following:

1. All residents and visitors of the State of South Carolina are required to limit social interaction, practice “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidance, and take every possible precaution to avoid potential exposure to, and to slow the spread of, COCID-19, and shall limit their movements outside of their home, place of residence, or current place of abode, except for the purposes of engaging in Essential Business, Essential Activities or Critical Infrastructure Operations as defined by the Order.”
    
2. Non-essential businesses are defined by Paragraph D 1 through 4
    
3. Essential activities are defined in Paragraph E 1 through 7
    
4. Critical Infrastructure Operations are defined in Paragraph F
    
5. Business maximum occupancy rate and social distancing are defined in Paragraph I

To view all of the Executive Orders beginning with EO 7 on 3-11-20 through EO 21 on 4-6-20 issued by Governor McMaster visit www.governor.sc.gov.

Repeating information provided in earlier messages:

1. As a reminder to citizens, the Town of Sullivan’s Island administrative offices at Town Hall remain closed to the public until further notice. Services are available with limited staff by telephone or email during normal business hours.  Please expect some delays in response as staff is required to work remotely. Sullivan’s Island Police and Fire Departments are fully staffed and standing by at the ready to provide assistance.  In the event of an emergency dial 9-1-1 for assistance and for non-emergency assistance from Police, Fire or Water and Sewer contact Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200.

2. As a result of behavior at other area beaches, Governor McMaster issued Executive Order 2020-16 on March 30, 2020 which closes all public access points to the state beaches as well as all public boat ramps, landings and other access points on the lakes, rivers and waterways of the state. The Governor commented to the media that the order does not intend to impact the rights of private property owners living adjacent to beaches, lakes, rivers or waterways. The Town has posted each beach path as CLOSED until further notice.

3. Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-16 the following will apply to Sullivan’s Island:
    
   • Checkpoint on SC703 will remain in effect until further notice between the hours of 7am to 7pm
      
   • Access to Sullivan’s Island at the checkpoint will be given to:
     • Sullivan’s Island residents with a windshield decal
     • Sullivan’s Island residents that present proof of ownership (deed, tax bill, utility bill, rental lease agreement, etc.)
     • Contractors, general laborers, service vendors, etc. with a current business license
     • Delivery services (FedEX, UPS, Uber Eats)
     • Health care providers
     • Off-island residents with proof of purchase picking up food from Island restaurants
        
   • Sullivan’s Island residents continue to have access through Isle of Palms connector (SC517) with a windshield sticker or proof of residence; likewise, Isle of Palms residents continue to have access via SC703
      
   • Those who are turned away include:
     • Off-island residents destined for the beach by car, bicycle or foot
     • Off-island residents with boat in tow seeking to launch from Sullivan’s Island
        
4. Yard debris collection every Wednesday has been suspended until further notice.  Household collection every Tuesday and Charleston County Curbside Recycle collection every other Wednesday (next collection 4-8-20) remain on schedule.

Staff members have been steadfast in the effort to provide continued service to residents since Friday 3-13-20. Non-essential staff members are working from home and have provided almost seamless service from remote locations.  First responders and Water & Sewer staff have remained on the job and continued to interact with and service the public.

The Police Department has been tasked with enforcing the Governor’s Executive Orders and stand post at the checkpoint daily for 12 hours.  The kind gestures and words of appreciation by residents passing through the checkpoint on SC-703 are most appreciated by the Officers. 

Andy Benke
Town Administrator