At the Town Council’s Virtual Meeting on May 21st, Emergency Ordinance 2-2020 was amended to open Town Parks, however restrooms, bathrooms and water fountains remain closed until June 18th. This Ordinance also extended suspension of the collection of Hospitality Taxes as well as suspension of the enforcement of the Town’s Single-Use Plastics Ordinance thru June 18th. For a full list of Town Emergency Ordinance and Updates, please visit http://www.jamesislandsc.us/emergency-ordinances-
Town Hall will resume normal operations effective Tuesday, May 26th with the public access limited between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm. This schedule will continue until further notice. The public is still encouraged to conduct Town business remotely and a list of commonly-used forms can be found at http://www.jamesislandsc.us/forms-and-documents
Charleston County also begins the shift to normal operations. Please visit www.charlestoncounty.org for latest updates.
Board of Elections and Voter Registration: Voters that wish to vote absentee by mail may request a ballot in the following ways: Email: absentee@charlestoncounty.org Phone: 843-744-8683 Web: https://vote.charlestoncounty.org (Live Chat feature) We will start conducting in-person absentee voting for the June primary on Monday, May 11. Location: 4367 Headquarters Rd., North Charleston Days: Monday – Friday (May 11- June 8) Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Today, May 22nd is the last Charleston County scheduled Mobile Testing Site, which is at the Goodwill AME Church, 2818 N. Hwy. 17, Mount Pleasant. People experiencing cough, fever and shortness of breath can request a screening at FetterCovid19Screening.org or by calling 1-800-365-7410 to connect with a Fetter provider who will determine the need for testing. Please also visit MUSC Health for more information on mobile testing sites and virtual appointments. https://muschealth.org/patients-visitors/coronavirus-information
JAMES ISLAND OUTREACH – Please note that food donations can be dropped off to James Island Outreach on Tues and Thursday mornings, between the hours of 9 am and Noon. Please visit this link to learn more about most needed items, and where monetary donations can be made: https://jioutreach.org/donations/ Please spread the word to friends, neighbors and any James Islander that you know who may be in need that food relief is distributed every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30.
The CCCSD meal-pick-up and delivery program still remains in effect. District 3 Meal Sites (James Isle.) EME Apartments 12pm-12:20pm Ferguson Rd 12:30pm-12:40pm Harbor View Elem 11am-1pm. The 2020 CCSD Seamless Summer Feeding Program will operate: Monday, June 8 - Friday, August 7. For info. on eligibility and participating, visit https://ccsdschoolmeals.com/index.php?sid=1564518747425&page=summer
Governor Henry McMaster today announced the creation of accelerateSC, a coordinated economic revitalization plan involving small and large business leaders, healthcare professionals, local government officials, and education professionals. Businesses in South Carolina continue to open, and as of Monday the 18th, recreational centers and close contact businesses such as hair salons are able to reopen. Visit https://governor.sc.gov/executive-branch/executive-orders for a full list of executive orders and guidelines and restrictions on reopening.
JAMES ISLAND CASES– As of May 20th, James Island (29412) currently has 3 cases testing positive for COVID-19. Keep in mind this number fluctuates as cases past the 14 days of projected infection are removed from the count. Many more people are likely infected and have not yet shown symptoms or are already ill and have not been tested. SCDHEC is estimating a factor of 9 which would imply as many as 180 total cases on Jame Island. The positive cases are due to exposure in the past. To control spread of this disease, we must continue to practice social distancing now. Remain at least six feet away from other people, especially for extended periods of time (30 minutes or more.) Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your face. Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Help protect your fellow James Islanders by wearing a cloth mask when making necessary trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, or for health care.
For peak demand statistics in South Carolina, visit https://covid19.healthdata.org/projections
CDC GUIDANCE - The Town of James Island recommends citizens follow the guidelines from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
DHEC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) homepage: https://www.scdhec.gov/.../.../coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) homepage: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children: https://www.cdc.gov/.../201.../specific-groups/children-faq.html
Those with questions about COVID-19 can call the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432. Staff is answering calls Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the economic impact payment. For more information regarding what to expect, please visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know
Small Business Loans including bridge loans with advances up to $10,000 that doesn't have to be paid back, visit - www.sba.gov<http://www.sba.gov>
Charleston Chamber Resource Page https://www.charlestonchamber.org/coronavirus-resources/...
CDC Guidance for Business Community https://www.cdc.gov/.../commu.../guidance-business-response.html
Low Country Local First
https://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/what-were-doing-to-help-o.../
The Town remains vigilant in monitoring Coronavirus/COVID-19 and its continuing impact on our region by making every effort to educate our staff and the public. Updates will be released and posted to the Town's website at www.jamesislandsc.us<http://www.jamesislandsc.us>, the Town's social media platforms, and distributed to our email distribution list. Send an email to info@jamesislandsc.us<mailto:info@jamesislandsc.us> to subscribe to our weekly meeting notifications and news releases.