ByMichal Higdon,Patrick Phillips,andRay Rivera|March 20, 2020 at 11:11 AM EDT - Updated March 20 at 5:47 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Town of Sullivan’s Island is the latest Lowcountry municipality which has voted to restrict beach access.
The town voted to restrict beach access by the general public between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting on Saturday.
This comes after leaders on the Isle of Palms and Folly Beach say they were also limiting who can access their beaches.
Edisto Beach
Edisto Beach Town Council passed a resolution to restrict access for 14 days starting Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach City Council voted unanimously to restrict access effective Friday at 2 p.m. Beach access will be restricted between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. through March 31, according to the newly-passed ordinance.
City leaders say a checkpoint will be set up on the James Island side of Little Oak Island Drive.
Under the ordinance:
- Residents and property owners must bring two forms of identification showing residency or ownership, including driver’s license, utility bill, deed, tax bill, lease, etc.
- Caretakers, including child care, family members or medical caretakers must have a pass. Residents may pick up caretaker passes from City Hall on Center Street. Pick up hours will be 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Outside of those hours, residents and property owners may call 843-588-7006 for caretaker access. Residents may be required to leave a message and are asked to be patient as city staff handles a very high call volume.
- Guests of residents may only enter with residents in the same vehicle through the checkpoint. The city cannot issue passes or maintain a list of guests.
- Holders of a short-term rental contract or hotel booking must show a booking confirmation or rental contract at the checkpoint.
- Employees of local businesses must have previously-issued red or yellow reentry pass issued by the City and employee credentials.
- Contractors or businesses must have a Folly Beach Business License vehicle sticker.
- Property managers, realtors, and brokers must have proof of state license and City of Folly Beach business license and related industry.
- Delivery persons must demonstrate business on the island at the checkpoint (including pharmacy, FedEx, UPS, Amazon and food delivery) by showing delivery address and goods at the checkpoint.
Isle of Palms City Council voted unanimously Friday morning to restrict access beginning Saturday morning.
Under the Isle of Palms ordinance, access to the beach will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Saturday.
The restrictions will last for 14 days, through April 4.
Sullivan’s Island
The Town of Sullivan’s Island voted to restrict beach access by the general public between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting on Saturday.
“In an abundance of caution and given the rapid spread of COVID-19, this afternoon members of Town Council voted to close access to the beach on Sullivan’s Island to residents and visitors between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM,” the town said in a statement.
The restricted hours are in effect through May 21, 2020 unless otherwise rescinded.
“Additionally, Sullivan’s Island residents should note that the City of Isle of Palms will be restricting entry to that jurisdiction to their residents only with few exceptions for contracted labor, delivery service and the like,” town officials said."In an effort to avoid delays, Sullivan’s Island residents should consider ingress and egress to/from the Island via SC703 and the Ben Sawyer Bridge."
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