COVID-19 | Update #15

Today, City Council held an emergency meeting to discuss City operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and consider amendments to Emergency Ordinance 2020-02 to implement further measures to protect the citizens of the Isle of Palms, including but not limited to extending the access restrictions and the prohibition of future check ins for short-term rentals, hotels and other accommodations and other measures proposed for the safety and public health of the City of Isle of Palms.

Council received expert medical advice from Dr. Ed O'Bryan, Emergency Medicine physician at MUSC and the Executive Director of MUSC Health Solutions, Chief Medical Officer for MUSC Business Health and the Director of Business for Telemedicine Services for Business Health, on the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and an update on the projections for the state of South Carolina.

City Council did not make any changes to the emergency ordinances today. However, Council decided to hold another special emergency meeting next Monday, April 20, 2020 to reevaluate the data available then and consider additional measures to protect the citizens of the Isle of Palms.

The following regulations and restrictions remain in place:

Stay at Home/Work Order

The Governor of the State of South Carolina has issued a Stay At Home Executive Order. The full text of the order can be found here.The order went into effect Tuesday April 7, 2020 at 5:00 p. m. The Executive Order requires the limiting of non-essential travel for purposes other than going to work or going home.

Beach Access

  • Per the Governor's Executive Order 2020-16- All public beach access paths and public parking lots are closed for the duration of the State of Emergency. The public beach access paths located between Breach Inlet through 56th Avenue are thereby closed to the public. This order does not apply to beachfront property owners who have private beach access paths. Do not attempt to illegally access the beach by trespassing on private property.
  • The Isle of Palms Marina has closed public access to the docks and boat launch for all recreational activity, with the exception of individuals having a current and valid commercial fishing license.
  • The Breach Inlet boat landing will also remain closed for the duration of the State of Emergency.

Short - Term Rentals, Hotels and Overnight Accommodations

No new check-ins are permitted for Short Term Rentals, Hotels and other Overnight Accommodations beginning 10:00 a.m., March 26, 2020 through April 30, 2020. Violating these emergency measures may result in a fine of up to $1,087 and/or 30 days in jail and revocation of business license.

Access Restrictions

Access to the island is restricted between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. through April 30th, 2020 to the following:

  • Residents and property owners of the island with a current parking decal or any other proof of residency or ownership.
    • 2019 and 2020 resident parking decals, hurricane re-entry stickers, Wild Dunes resident sticker.
    • Police Department will temporarily stop issuing in person residential beach parking permits and passes. Residents who apply for their residential parking decal online will receive their permits and passes via us mail.
  • Relatives and/or friends of residents only in a vehicle with a resident with a current parking decal or proof of residency readily visible on or near the vehicle.
  • Caretakers
  • Contractors with current business licenses
  • Service workers with current decals
  • Delivery personnel, including but not limited to pharmacy, FedEx, UPS, Amazon, USPS
  • Any person delivering essential medical services, including caregivers
  • Employees and suppliers of local business, including but not limited to, grocery stores, restaurants, contractors, property managers.

Assistance for Businesses

  • All deadlines imposed by City Ordinance shall be suspended until July 15, 2020.
  • A temporary exemption of the plastics ban ordinance is in place for businesses during the state of emergency.
  • The City has compiled a list of resources available to businesses to support economic retention and recovery related to the novel outbreak.

City Operations and Other Information:

  • Police and Fire Departments continue with normal operations and continue taking necessary measures to protect personnel from exposure and infection of COVID-19. Please call the non-emergency number at (843) 886-6522 rather than walk-in for non-emergency questions.
  • The Recreation Center will be closed starting Monday, March 16th until further notice. All recreational and athletic programs/classes and events will be postponed until further notice.
  • City Hall offices will be closed to the public starting 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 17th.
    • City Hall staff will work remotely and staggered schedules to increase physical distance among employees and between employees and others.
    • The City encourages all citizens to delay non-essential business and walk-in customer service to City Hall.
    • Parking and Court fines can be paid online or by mail to PO Drawer 508 Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
    • Other payments can be made online via credit card or through the drop box in the lobby of City Hall, or by mail to PO Drawer 508 Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
    • Specific staff contact information is available on the City's website here. Every effort will be made to accommodate residents remotely.
  • The Building Departments is processing building permits and business licenses via phone, email, and using the forms page here. Please call (843) 886-9912 for more information.
  • Police Department will temporarily stop issuing in person residential beach parking permits and passes. Residents who apply online will receive their permits and passes via us mail.
  • As of now, household garbage collection will operate on a normal schedule. However, this is subject to any closure at the Charleston County Bee's Ferry Landfill site.
  • All City Council, Committee, Boards and Commissions meetings scheduled for March will be postponed until further notice.
  • Municipal Court has been canceled and is being postponed to a later date. Notices will be mailed this week. For questions or more information, please email Amy Wilkerson Lee, Clerk of Court, at amyw@iop.net
  • The Isle of Palms County Park is closed. Visit their Alert Center for updates.
  • The public restrooms located in Front Beach will be temporarily closed until further notice.
  • Charleston County School District has extended school closures through the end of April. they continue to provide free "grab and go" lunches to all students (whether or not they previously qualified for free or reduced lunch).
  • Share