COVID-19 Updates and Information
Last Updated: June 19th, 2020 9:00 AM EST.
The Path Forward Readiness Plan
The Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau is closely monitoring the evolving situation regarding COVID-19. The health and safety of our valued visitors and residents always remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor and update you as COVID-19 continues to develop. We have compiled the following official resources to help you stay informed:
- The official website of Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- The official website of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
- The official website of the World Health Organization (WHO)
- The official website of The Town of Hilton Head Island, SC
Visitors with questions regarding accommodations, reservations, and special events should inquire directly with the venue or establishment.
Starting Friday, May 22 Mayor John McCann will reopen the following public beach access and beach parking on Hilton Head Island.
Free overflow parking will be available at Cast Net Court for Burkes Beach visitors and at the USCB Hospitality Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, for Coligny Beach Park visitors. From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Palmetto Breeze will shuttle beach visitors back and forth for free from the campus to Coligny Beach Park.
Parking fees will be reinstated and meters will be operational at beach parks where they are located. Beach Pass holders may park in any marked space without paying an additional fee. Vehicles that are illegally parked in unmarked spaces or along road rights of way will be towed.
Additionally, Sheriff's Deputies and Town staff will be patrolling the beaches. Security guards will also patrol Islanders' and Coligny beach parks.
Beach visitors should be aware of the following beach regulations: Beach regulations and penalties can be found at hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
Beach visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings to protect themselves and others around them from potentially spreading the coronavirus. Please continue to practice safety and physical distancing guidelines to stay healthy and safe. Stay six feet apart.On May 11, Governor Henry McMaster announced that starting Monday, May 18, 2020 close contact service providers, fitness and exercise centers, commercial pools will be open in a limited capacity. Please check with your accommodations provider and/or specific business to ensure details.
On May 8, Governor Henry McMaster announced that effective Monday, May 11th at 12:01 a.m., restaurants are allowed to provide indoor dining for 50% of its occupancy.
In addition, the Governor also lifted all restrictions regarding boating during the pandemic. Boaters can now tether or “beach” their boats together at sandbars and other waterway locations.
On May 1, Governor McMaster announced that beginning on May 4th, restaurants throughout South Carolina may provide outdoor customer dining service in addition to existing take out, curbside, and delivery services.
The governor also announced that he has lifted Executive Order 2020-19 because CDC guidance identifying “hotspots” throughout the country, which constituted the basis upon which short term rental companies were to deny reservations, has since lapsed and was not renewed.
The governor has also lifted Executive Order 2020-14, which required individuals entering the state from the same “hotspots” to self-quarantine for two weeks.
On April 27, Governor Henry McMaster declared a new state of emergency for 15 days effective immediately. Read the full Executive Order here.
On April 20, Governor Henry McMaster authorized retail stores to re-open at 5:00 p.m., but must adhere to strict social distancing requirements, operating at 20% occupancy or five (5) customers per 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. In addition, businesses must not knowingly allow customers to congregate within six feet of one another, excluding families, and follow relevant CDC and DHEC guidelines.
List of retail businesses allowed to re-open:
- Furniture and home-furnishings stores
- Clothing, shoes, and clothing-accessory stores
- Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores
- Department stores, with the exception of hardware and home-improvement stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Book, craft, and music stores
- Flea markets
- Florists and flower stores
Read full executive order here.
On April 16, Governor McMaster amended the executive order regarding public boat docks and landings, allowing them to reopen, in whole or in part, any such public boat ramp or boat landing, to include any adjacent or associated public parking lots, effective Friday, April 17, 2020, at 12:00 p.m., for the purpose of launching and retrieving boats on the public waters Within SC to facilitate authorized and permissible outdoor exercise and recreational activities for the duration of the State of Emergency, unless otherwise modified, amended, or rescinded by subsequent Order.
Public piers, docks, and wharfs providing public access to the public waters of this State shall remain closed.
Read full executive order here.
On April 12 Governor McMaster extended the State of Emergency order for South Carolina effective immediately for 15 days. Read full executive order Here
On April 6, Governor McMaster ordered a "Stay at Home or Work Order" effective 5 P.M. Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
Home or Work Order
Beginning April 7, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., South Carolina visitors and residents are ordered to limit their movements outside of their residence (any dwelling facility without regard to the length of stay, such as single-family and multi-family units, modular and mobile homes, hotels, motels, etc.) to the following:
Essential Business.
- Essential businesses are those not previously deemed “non-essential” in Executive Order 2020-17 or 2020-18
Essential Activities. Allowable activities include:
- Caring for or visiting a family member in another residence or transporting or travelling with a family member as long as “social distancing” is adhered to;
- Obtaining necessary supplies and services (household goods, medical supplies, equipment for telecommuting)
- Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of household (seeking medical, behavioral health, emergency services);
- Caring for pets;
- Engaging in outdoor exercise or recreational activities while maintaining a minimum distance of six feet;
- Attending religious services;
- Traveling as required by law (court proceedings, transporting children as required by court order).
Click Here to Read the Full Order
Closures & Cancelations on Hilton Head Island
Please note: the situation is evolving rapidly, and this is not an exhaustive list. Please call ahead to individual businesses to confirm closures or modifications to regular schedules. This page will communicate closures from our partners as we receive them:
Hotels/ Home & Villa/ Timeshare Closure:
RBC Heritage Tournament:
- The PGA TOUR has announced the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing will be held June 18 - 21, 2020.
- For more information about the RBC Heritage, Click Here
US Travel Association
Town of Hilton Head
PPE Resources