Administration announces partial closings, staff reductions
From staff reports
To help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Beaufort County implemented a COVID-19 operations plan Sunday 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 by telephone and electronically as much as possible. The public should expect to experience County staff practicing social distancing.
The County asks 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 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 Airlines.
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.
Beaufort County is concerned about the health and well-being of its residents and visitors. County leadership, including public safety and emergency management officials, continues to closely monitor developments related to COVID-19.
County Council meetings
Beaufort County Council plans to hold its 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 Ch. 2, Hargray Chs. 9 and 113, and Spectrum Ch. 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 P.O. Drawer 1228, Beaufort, S.C. 29901.
Other County-sponsored public meetings are subject to cancelation or postponement. Updates will be provided on the County’s website calendar at www.beaufortcountysc.gov.
