While there still are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tybee Island, escalating cases statewide have prompted Tybee Island mayor Shirley Sessions to order the closure of all non-essential businesses on the Island, effective 12:01 a.m. March 28 to 12:01 a.m. April 9.
Non-essential businesses are defined as gift shops, clothing stores or shops, art shops, vaping stores, golf cart or motorized vehicle rental businesses, businesses that provide bicycle or rentals of similar transportation devices, such as but not limited to scooters, skate boards, surf boards, etc. and gift shops.
Excluded from the closure order are businesses which provide essential services or products including hardware, plumbing, and building materials and all other businesses not described above as non-essential.
The emergency directive also prohibits use of public playground equipment and courts, groups in excess of 10 in public parks, and recreational sports whether formally or informally organized.
This move is to help contain the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of Tybee Island residents – 40 percent of whom fall into a high risk category for coronavirus.
The original Emergency Directive issued on March 20, 2020 was amended to include these additional items. You can download the Emergency Directive here.