Full Notification

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office hopes that this advisory finds you and your families well. We would like to take this opportunity to remind Beaufort County residents of social distancing and other preventative steps to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.
Please see the below for recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control to protect yourself, your families and others from coronavirus (COVID-19):

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance — recommendation is more than six feet — between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Stay home if you’re sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

On a positive note, and based on cellular data reported by Mandy Matney of FITS News, Beaufort County is ranked #3 in the state in social distancing, as measured by average distance traveled. This is encouraging news, please keep up your efforts to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Beaufort County.

Link to FITS News article: 
https://www.fitsnews.com/2020/03/24/study-reveals-which-sc-counties-are-the-worst-and-best-at-social-distancing/
   
We appreciate the cooperation and effort to adhere to recommendations of social distancing on the part of Beaufort County residents. We would like to remind you of the law "illegal acts under state of emergency," which went into effect through Governor Henry McMaster's executive order. Under Section 16-7-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws "illegal acts under state of emergency," it is unlawful for people to "congregate, unless authorized or in their homes, in groups of three or more and to refuse to disperse upon order of a law enforcement officer;" or "willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any law enforcement officer." We are empathetic to our community, and ask for your continued compliance with this and all laws, so that we may get past the stressful coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic safer and quicker. 
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c007.php

As we move through these concerning times, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office thanks you for continuing to remain calm, cooperative and courteous with one another.