Top Stories

Coronavirus: What’s Opened, Closed In Berkeley County

by The Berkeley Observer
Courtesy: 123RF.com

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout South Carolina, local and state leaders are taking steps to minimize the spread of the virus. This includes closing facilities to limit public contact.

While there are currently no cases of the coronavirus in Berkeley County, county council declared a state of emergency Tuesday.

During a news conference the same day, Gov. Henry McMaster announced that restaurants and bars – including those in Berkeley County – must close their dine-in services starting Wednesday.

Organized events of more than 50 persons in a state, county, city, or other publicly-owned facility are also prohibited until further notice. The exception is essential government functions.

Below is a list of the facilities/buildings currently open/closed to the public in Berkeley County:

WHAT’S CLOSED IN BERKELEY COUNTY:

  • Airport
  • Landfills and Convenience Centers
  • Probate Court
    • Close to the public; marriage licenses may be picked up at the Family Court drive-thru on Jail Street behind the Courthouse
  • Voter Registration & Election Commission
    • Candidate filing opened at noon on March 16, 2020 and will close at noon on March 30, 2020. All partisan candidates seeking office in the November 3, 2020 General Election must file during this period. Any candidate that would like to make an appointment for filing can call the office at (843) 719-4056 beginning March 17 at 9 a.m. or email [email protected].

RESTRICTED PLACES IN BERKELEY COUNTY:

The following departments located at the Berkeley County Administration Building are closed but provide drop-off facilities

Drop-offs at secure box located outside for:

  • Treasurer’s Office
  • Delinquent Tax

Drop-offs at secure box located inside lobby entrance for:

  • Auditor’s Office
  • Register of Deeds
  • Real Property Services
  • Permitting and Codes
  • Planning and Zoning

Animal Center
No longer accepting owner turn-ins
No longer allowing children volunteers

Berkeley County Water & Sanitation (BCWS)
Suspending water cut-offs and turning on water to customers that were previously turned-off due to non-payment.

Magistrate Course

The courts will be open to the public on a limited basis. All jury trials and traffic court cases will be rescheduled. Bond hearings will continue twice a day at the normal times of 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE.

County Courthouse

Jurors summoned for the week of March 23-27, 2020, are EXCUSED and should not appear for juror service.

The Grand Jury has been excused for Wednesday, March 25
Summary Court bond hearings will be conducted at least once a day
General Sessions Court will be handling guilty pleas for the local jail on Monday and a half-day on Tuesday, upon Judge’s approval
Family Court will be hearing ONLY emergencies and statutory mandated hearings: domestic abuse, DSS probable cause; juvenile detention and bench warrant hearings
CSE Admin Rules will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday with DSS Attorney LeBarron in the Jury Panel room.

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

  • Auditor’s Office
  • Berkeley County Water & Sanitation (BCWS)
  • Coroner’s Office
  • Cypress Gardens
    • All school field trips have been canceled
  • Delinquent Tax
  • Economic Development
  • Finance
  • GIS
  • Human Resources
  • Libraries
  • Mosquito Abatement
  • Permitting and Codes
  • Planning and Zoning
  • Real Property Services
  • Register of Deeds
  • Roads & Bridges
  • Supervisor’s Office
  • Treasurer’s Office
  • Veteran Affairs

Comments are closed.