Your charity is needed. The more COVID-19 disrupts our lives, the more people and agencies in our community are going to depend on the generosity of residents. So I begin today's update with a simple question: Have you supported a charity today? Please consider doing that. There are a number of charities in our community that are helping people who are struggling from loss of work and wages. And as charities assist those individuals, they will need their resources replenished. Additionally there are organizations that provide a wide range of services for residents such as healthcare, mental health, recreation, counseling and youth programs. Many are closed now, but will need support when they re-open.
So I encourage you to consider supporting a charity today!
Update on Coronavirus Cases
130 positive cases of the coronavirus have been reported for Beaufort County, according the latest data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. With the rising number of cases in Beaufort County, I ask that you continue to be cautious and heed DHEC guidelines on protecting yourself. The more we do now to stop spreading the virus, the sooner we can return to our normal lives.
Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 response in our community:
Request to Rental Agencies
Our Town Council passed a resolution early this week asking rental companies to cease taking reservations through the end of April and not advertise for tourists to come to Hilton Head Island at this time. At least a dozen rental companies had already taken a similar step. We appreciate their concern and compassion for our community during this time. We hope others will follow.
Non-Essential Businesses
On Tuesday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2020-17, requiring specific businesses, venues, facilities, services, and activities to close effective April 1. We have posted this information to our website and will update it as we receive additional information from the Governor's Office. Businesses and residents with questions on what constitutes a non-essential business should contact the South Carolina Department of Commerce at covid19sc@sccommerce.com or 803-734-2873.
SC LLR Extends Renewal Deadlines During Health Emergency
Effective immediately, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) 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, 2020. Continuing education requirements may be obtained throughout the entirety of this extended renewal period. Business owners should visit LLR to see if they are affected.
Help4Hope Initiative Launched
The Watterson Family Foundation and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce have partnered with a team of local leaders to launch Help4Hope to support our community's families and food-service businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. This initiative will help feed families affected by this crisis, support local restaurants by generating new business and save jobs in the food-service industry. Donors fund community investment cards that trusted community partners (Bluffton Self Help, The Deep Well Project, Campbell Chapel AME Church among others) will begin distributing on April 6 to those affected by this crisis. Receivers can redeem them at participating restaurants of their choice for a family meal for four. Restaurants benefit too by redeeming the cards at the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry for reimbursement. Visit https://www.help4hopenow.org for more information.
Town Projects Still Underway
While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we operate, Town staff is still working. Many Town Hall employees are working from home, completing projects and responding to your calls and emails. Other employees are fulfilling responsibilities from their Town Hall offices, while using social distancing protocols. Town Hall is closed to the public, but the staff and Town Council are using virtual meeting platforms to connect with each other and work on projects. With fewer vehicles on the road, contractors are taking advantage of this time to complete road work projects in the Shelter Cove Area, South Forest Beach Drive and Main St. These workers have little interaction with the public and are practicing social distancing at the worksite.
Ways You Can Help During this Crisis
- Act as though everyone has the virus; stay home as much as can. Find ways to exercise around your home or in your neighborhood, keeping in mind that even then you have to practice social distancing.
- Donate to your favorite charity.
- Participate in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Take Out Blitz.
- Show compassion. Call a friend, neighbor or family member to check on them, especially elderly persons who may not have family close by. Stay in touch!
- Pray for those families and individuals in our community that have been directly affected by this virus.
- Share good news.
- Thank a first responder, medical workers, workers in the grocery stores and others in the community who remain on the frontlines to help people during this time.
Visit
culturehhi.org or follow culturehhi on Facebook for the latest updates on virtual concerts and other cool and fun activities you can view or do from the comfort of your own home.
