The mayor and city ataff are working all day, every day, to be as prepared and equipped as possible to best serve our citizens and businesses throughout this COVID-19 event. The mayor’s declaration of a State of Emergency was one of the required actions that helps make the city able to access state and federal funds, as well as other resources. Another step is the coordination with local grocery stores to establish senior shopping hours in order to more safely serve our seniors and vulnerable adults.
Additionally, as some people not properly practicing social distancing and other proper measures, this declaration may serve a way to further highlight that this situation is real, serious and deserving of everyone’s full attention.
The city implores everyone to please follow CDC guidelines on proper hygiene practices, social distancing and group gathering sizes.
What does a State of Emergency mean for the City of Walterboro:
• Recognizes that the city and Colleton County are entering the acceleration phase of the virus and although there is only one confirmed case at this time, that number is likely to grow.
• Intended to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and encourage joint efforts from business and residents to follow the recommendations from the CDC.
• Encourage citizens to stay home and to make only necessary public outings.
• Establishes emergency criteria for emergency City Council meetings.
What the State of Emergency does NOT mean:
• There is no curfew set in place at this time.
• There is no order to shelter in place set at this time.
• There is not an order to close businesses.
“This declaration is to ensure that all residents and visitors are taking heed to all the CDC guidelines and orders placed by Governor McMaster,” said Mayor Bill Young.
“Our behavior and compliance with guidelines matter. It will help ‘flatten the curve’ and keep the level to which COVID-19 affects Walterboro to a minimum. We are all in this together and if we all support each other, including our businesses that are being affected daily, we will all get through this together,” he said.
