Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
SCAC is monitoring the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly called Coronavirus – or COVID-19, by staying in touch with federal and state government partners. SCAC will share any important information received with county officials by email and also post it online so that you can make informed decisions for your community. Any legal information shared on this page does not constitute legal advice. Please talk with your county attorney and/or employment attorney for legal advice pertaining specifically to your county.
Federal Relief Packages and Other Federal Funding
- ARRAS ARP Clearinghouse (November 17, 2021)
- County Investments of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds (November 9, 2021)
- ICMA Survey Research: American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Spending Priorities (November 8, 2021)
- NACo Session on ARPA Recovery Fund Eligible Uses, Etc. - (October 26, 2021)
- Memo From Governor McMaster Re: ARPA Funding (September 13, 2021)
- ARPA Reporting Requirements Update (August 26, 2021)
- ARPA Alert: Interim Report - *Revenue Loss Calculation Reporting Requirement* (August 20, 2021)
- American Rescue Plan Act Reporting Deadlines (August 16, 2021)
- Treasury Performance Report (August 12, 2021)
- New Treasury Recovery Fund FAQ to Answer Submission/Certification Questions (July 20, 2021)
- US Treasury Posts Updated FAQs on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (June 24, 2021)
- Treasury Update: ARPA Compliance and Reporting Guidance (June 21, 2021)
- Treasury Guidance Update on Broadband (June 18, 2021)
- NACo's Analysis of U.S. Treasury's Fiscal Recovery Fund Guidance (June 11, 2021)
- US Treasury Updated FAQs on Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (June 8, 2021)
- NACo Briefing on State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
- NACo's ARPA FAQs
- Latest information on the US Treasury’s Guidance on the American Rescue Plan
U.S. Treasury’s Guidance on Pre-Award Requirements to Receive Recovery Funds
- GFOA Issues Guiding Principals for Use of The American Rescue Plan Act Funding
- SCAC Memo Regarding American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
- Biden Administration National COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy
- NACo Analysis of Biden's Coronavirus Rescue Plan
- NACo Analysis of the Year End COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus Spending Package
- Secretary of Treasury and IRS Guidance on Employee Payroll Taxes
- FEMA Public Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Treasury Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
- COVID-19 Federal Supplemental Packages and Human Resource Implications for Counties webinar
- SCAC's FFCRA Summary
Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis – Summary and resources for FFCRA
- FFCRA: Implications for Public Employers and First Responders (Parker Poe Attorneys & Counselors at Law)
- Coronavirus - An Employer's Legal Guide to Planning, Response, and Mitigation (Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP)
Parker Poe Attorneys & Counselors at Law – Navigating the Coronavirus Pandemic
- FFCRA Summary (Winters Law Firm)
- NACo outline of COVID legislative resources
- COVID-19 Federal Funding Resources
- Federal Government Passes Relief Packages in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
International City/County Management Association – Employment Law Adjustments
County Operations Information
- OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
- A Legal Perspective on Reopening Communities
- Implementing a Phased Approach to Reopening Community Facilities
- Employment Law Adjustments for COVID-19
- Kickstart Pickens County Phased Reopening Plans
- SC Counties COVID-19 FAQs
- SCAC Survey of County Operations
- Revenue Projections and Budgetary Implications Meeting in light of COVID-19 webinar
- Guidance on Orientation and Continuing Education Requirements
- SCAC Technical Bulletin on Virtual Meetings
- SCAC Legislative Alert on Continuing Resolutions
Medical Supplies
- The SC COVID-19 Emergency Supply Collaborative identifies and coordinates partners that have the capability to quickly source and/or make medical supplies and other products to support the state's COVID-19 response.
- State Requirements for Planning and Zoning Eased During Pandemic - article
- Counties Using Technology to Conduct Virtual Meetings During Coronavirus Pandemic - article
- Counties Respond to Pandemic - article
Resources for Residents and Businesses
- Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- Information:
- Contact: SCEMD Sam Carr (scarr@emd.sc.gov, 803-260-8239) or ESF-24 (esf24@emd.sc.gov, 803-737-8524)
- HUD Mortgage Relief Assistance
- Information:
- Contact: SC Housing at COVID19help@schousing.com
Legal Assistance
SC Legal Services provides free legal assistance in a wide variety of civil (non-criminal) legal matters to eligible low income residents.
American Bar Association Free Legal Answers enables low-income individuals to post online and get answers to civil legal questions from licensed pro bono volunteer lawyers.
Housing Resources
- SC Housing Trust Fund works through a network of sponsors to provide affordable housing to eligible citizens. Individuals in need of assistance can contact an approved nonprofit. Nonprofit representatives interested in becoming an approved sponsor should contact Housing Trust Fund Manager Felicia Kilgore (Kilgore@schousing.com, 803-896-9362).
Information for Jails and Detention Centers
The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) has posted a significant amount of resources regarding COVID-19 and jail operations online including free access to webinars and other important information.
- COVID -19 Considerations for South Carolina Detention Centers
- Coronavirus and Safety — What Every Cop Needs to Know
- S.C. Department of Corrections' COVID-19 Action Plan
- Detention Center Challenges During Pandemic - article
At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the best source for information. At the state level, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control will direct information distribution and response. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has resources available related to considering the chain of command during a public health emergency, to communicating with citizens, to preparing the county’s workforce.
State Resources
Executive Orders
AccelerateSC Final Report
Attorney General's Opinion
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
- Information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including a timeline and eligible groups — https://scdhec.gov/vaxfacts
- Link to resources and latest info — https://www.scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
- Educational and outreach material — https://www.scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/educational-outreach-materials-2019-ncov
S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)
- FEMA Public Assistance Program
- https://www.scemd.org/
- Coronavirus Pandemic to Require Patience and Flexibility, SCEMD Director Says - article
S.C. Office of Regulatory Staff - Consumer Resources During COVID-19
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Link to resources and latest info — https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Vaccine Distribution Allocations by Jurisdiction
- Resources for preventing COVID-19 spread in communities and workplaces — https://bit.ly/3dveinp
- Communication resources including a digital press kit — https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html
Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease in Correctional and Detention Facilities — https://bit.ly/2UjOu61
Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces — https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- New FEMA PA Policy Regarding Reopening Costs for COVID-19
- FEMA Policy - Funeral Cost Assistance for COVID-19-related Deaths
- FEMA and interagency partners have created resource roadmaps—or informational guides—to help communities overcome recovery challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, roadmaps for housing, food and nutrition and education have been released.
- FEMA Advisory: COVID19 - Pandemic Operational Guidance for 2020 Hurricane Season
- Local governments are eligible to apply for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, Category B — Fact Sheet
- FEMA’s Procurement Under Grants related to reimbursements
- Applying the Defense Production Act
- Purchase and Distribution of Food Eligible for Public Assistance
- FEMA Public Assistance Program Fact Sheet
- Resources for Individuals and Households
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus
- Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency (CISA)
- Guidance on essential critical infrastructure workforce
- Includes information on identification of essential critical infrastructure workers, 16 critical infrastructure sectors, and frequently asked questions, among other things.
- Guidance on essential critical infrastructure workforce
Department of Labor
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued updated information concerning under what conditions employers may mandate employee Covid-19 vaccinations, and exemptions based on disability or religious beliefs. The vaccine mandate discussion can be found in section K of the update.
- https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus
- Includes information on workplace safety; wages, hours, and leave; and unemployment insurance flexibilities, among other things.
- FFCRA FAQs
- Rules to administer emergency paid sick leave and expanded FMLA
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
- Links to resources and latest info — https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
- 2020 Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
National Association of Counties (NACo)
- https://www.naco.org/coronavirus
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): County Response Efforts & Priorities
- Includes Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission, a NACo Letter to Congressional Leadership on Coronavirus Pandemic, and NACo's Analysis of Federal Legislation on Coronavirus Pandemic, among other resources.
- NACo Membership Call Recording
- NACo President Mary Ann Borgeson and CEO Matt Chase led a call on Tuesday, March 17 to provide updates to our membership regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Conference delegates receive briefing from CDC Chief Medical Examiner Mitch Wolfe — https://www.naco.org/articles/naco-members-get-briefing-coronavirus-cdc
- U.S. Digital Response Matches Volunteers with County Needs
- NACo's Maximizing Federal Assistance Webinar Available for Streaming
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- Overview of the recent federal assistance packages and recommendations on how local governments can access COVID-19 funding resources
- 10 Tips for Organizing Effectively to Secure COVID-19 Resources
- Local Goverments Help Small Businesses Reopen
- How Local Governments Are Working to Keep Small Business Alive
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center Detailed Map of Confirmed Cases
Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)
- Podcast: Q&A with Public Risk Managers Responding to COVID-19
- Webinar: Risk Management Response to COVID-19
Employer Resources
Telehealth for County Employees
County employees are encouraged to take advantage of telehealth services to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
- The State Health Plan and Coronavirus
- Primsa Health Offers Free Virtual Visit to Screen for COVID-19
- Blue Care on Demand for State Health Plan Members - article