The party moved to sandbars after Hilton Head restricted beach access for coronavirus
As access to Hilton Head Island’s beaches was restricted Saturday to prevent the spread of coronavirus, there were reports of people jumping in boats and congregating on sandbars throughout Beaufort County.
Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling said there was a “Water Festival like Party” at one sandbar near Beaufort and called the actions of those who attended “selfish” and lacking of restraint.
A sandbar near Bluffton also had an “active” day, according to a Saturday newsletter from Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and S.C. Department of Natural Resources officials both said Sunday they were aware of the gatherings.
The Sheriff’s Office announced Friday it had increased its presence on Hilton Head Beaches after hearing of gatherings of large groups — prohibited by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Later in the day, Hilton Head Mayor John McCann announced he was closing beach access and amenities on the island. He called the move a “response to community outcry”.
South Carolina health officials reported two new coronavirus cases in Beaufort County Sunday, bringing the total to 14.
Maj. Bob Bromage said the crowds have not been a problem on Hilton Head Island beaches in recent days but deputies started receiving reports of groups on the sand bars.
He said crowds will be dispersed on the sandbars, like on the beaches, with the assistance of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
As of Sunday, no one had been arrested for disobeying the governor’s order, Bromage said.
S.C. DNR Spokesman Robert McCullough said Sunday that people are not being discouraged from boating but are asked to practice social distancing, avoiding large groups.
“Just because you are on the sand bar ... doesn’t mean it is okay,” McCullough said. “We are out patrolling, along with all the other agencies. We are trying to keep everybody safe.”
Hunting Island and The Sands open
To Beaufort County beaches north of the Broad River remain open, even as access was restricted on Hilton Head and in Bluffton.
Five miles of beach at Hunting Island State Park are open to beachgoers, although officials are encouraging visitors to avoid large groups. All buildings, including the visitor center and lighthouse, are closed.
The Sands beach on Battery Creek in Port Royal is also open. Port Royal Town Manager Van Willis said he plans to post additional signage discouraging people from congregating in large groups and has requested police to increase patrols.
The reports of packed sandbars over the weekend “certainty sets off some concerns for us,” he said. If crowds continue to form at The Sands, Willis said Port Royal will consider closing beach access points.
“We will engage the public and encourage them to change their behavior,” Willis said.
Bromage said the Sheriff’s Office has increased patrol at Hunting Island and The Sands for crowd control.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 4:29 PM.
