Here is the latest on the coronavirus and the impact on Fort Mill and the surrounding area. Check back here for updates:
• School Field Trips & Staff Travel are Cancelled (3-13-2020 News Release): From the Fort Mill School District: “Due to rising concerns surrounding travel related to the Coronavirus, the district is canceling all out-of-district field trips and staff travel effective Monday, March 16, until further notice. While DHEC and the CDC have not placed restrictions on domestic travel, we believe this action is in the best interest of our students and staff. Adding to this decision, several destination events and activities planned for these trips have been canceled by the organizers. The district will work with sponsors and organizers to determine the availability of refunds and any information on this matter will be communicated at a later date.
“All in-district activities and athletic events will continue as planned at this time, but the district is monitoring the situation daily and may make further announcements regarding these events. We will keep our community informed of any changes as soon as they are determined.
‘As always, we encourage everyone to practice proper hygiene, handwashing and to please stay home if you are feeling ill. We will continue to update our district website with information as it is made available, along with useful links to resources about the virus and preventative measures. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe and healthy.”
• Sheriff’s Office Institutes Social Distancing Measures, Detention Visitation Suspended (YCSO NEWS 3-13-2020) – York County is continuing to monitor the progression of COVID-19 across the country and, in particular, South Carolina. Therefore, York County Sheriff’s Office will institute “social distancing” measures for the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center Lobbies effective immediately.
In addition, in order to follow Governor Henry McMaster’s executive order, all inmate visitation and volunteer led programs at the York County Detention Center have been suspended until further notice.
Sheriff Kevin Tolson is urging anyone who has flu-like symptoms or is “high-risk” for contracting COVID-19 to refrain from entering the Moss Justice Center and District Offices in Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Clover. Additionally, if you have traveled outside of the United States or had close contact with someone who recently traveled outside of the United States and is sick, please refrain from entering the Sheriff’s Office and District Offices.
Signage is posted at the security entrance to the Moss Justice Center as well as the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center Lobbies to remind citizens who may feel feverish, have a cough and shortness of breath to stop and call before entering the facility.
Sheriff’s Office Phone Numbers are as follows:
- Emergencies: 9-1-1
- Sheriff’s Office Main Line: 803-628-3059
- York County Detention Center: 803-628-3080
- York District 1 Office: 803-628-3059
- Clover District 2 Office: 803-222-8981
- Rock Hill District 3 Office: 803-909-7515
- Fort Mill District 4 Office: 803-396-8426
• Fort Mill Town Council postponed all Town-sponsored or Town- assisted events, as well as any event held on Town properties, effective immediately through March 31. The decision was made during a special Fort Mill Town Council meeting on Friday in an effort to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the health of the community.
As a result, events such as the St. Patty’s Day Jam on Main Street and the Mike Doty Memorial Run, both planned for Saturday, March 14, as well as the Easter Eggstravaganza hosted by LifePointe Church planned for March 28, will be postponed until further notice. The decision by council also affects any public rentals of Town Park facilities, including at Walter Y Elijah, Steel Street and Harris Street parks.
The Town had previously decided Friday to postpone all Parks & Recreation sports programming through April 12.
Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage said Town officials will be closely monitoring the situation as it progresses.
“We will reexamine the situation at the end of the month and will make further decisions from there,” Savage said.
The Town is continuing to monitor the situation and is staying updated on information released by agencies such as the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please refer to both agencies for real-time information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the disease, including this CDC website explaining how the virus spreads and the best ways to protect yourself: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html.
Please keep an eye on the Town’s website (www.fortmillsc.gov) and social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for further information.
• Fort Mill Schools: From Chief Communications Officer Joe Burke at 3 p.m. Friday: “The announcement to close school will be determined at the state level by the Department of Education and S.C. DHEC.”
An earlier release said the state agencies had not changed our plans at this time. (Click here for earlier story.)