South Carolina and SCAPA's Response to COVID-19
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SCAPA COVID-19 Update
The South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association (SCAPA) is closely monitoring events related to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak to assess what impact it will have on association operations, as well as the effects on the industry. SCAPA has been in contact with key officials regarding road construction and will continue to provide updated guidance as it is received by the association. We have been in communication with SCDOT, and the Department has identified ongoing construction projects as a mission critical function. SCDOT plans on the continuation of construction projects, for as long as the agency can safely do so. Every jurisdiction and every project may be different, and members are encouraged to continue to be in regular communication with project owners and other health and safety officials for guidance on how the health emergency may impact them specifically. We will continue to update you should this change.
As a precaution, SCAPA has taken the following actions which are effective until further notice:
- Postponed the Partners in Quality meeting in District 4 on Monday, March 16 indefinitely;
- Cancelled the SCAPA Spring Member Dinner and Legislative Day. We will work to issue refunds to all registered attendees for this event;
- The SCAPA Board will have a conference call during its regularly scheduled board meeting on March 31; and
- We have also decided to postpone registration for the 2020 Summer Conference until April 1. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor this situation and make a determination about the Summer Conference over the coming weeks.
Our staff is working remotely until April 1, and our plan is to continue providing our members with regular communication throughout this outbreak. SCAPA has contingency plans in place to continue operations uninterrupted. All staff have remote-access and tele-work capability, and information technology assets utilized by the association provide numerous ways for the association to deliver services.
COVID-19 Updates sent to SCAPA Members are as follows:
Other COVID-19 Updates:
New health advisories continue to be issued at the local, state and federal levels with regard to the COVID-19 flu virus, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, which originated in China late last year and has been spreading quickly to other countries, including the United States. On March 13 the President issued a proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the novel coronavirus, and Governor McMaster declared a state of emergency in South Carolina. Business operations have already been disrupted, with the hardest hit the travel industry, but other disruptions have been seen or are anticipated in manufacturing, the service industry, the energy sector and elsewhere.
The State of South Carolina has taken the following measures to reduce exposure to COVID-19:
- Public school closure took effect on Monday, March 16. Schools will be closed through March 31. Public schools will continue education through online learning.
- Governor McMaster has issued an executive order to ban all dine-in service at restaurants and bars in South Carolina beginning March 18.
- Governor McMaster ordered the S.C. Department of Revenue (SCDOR) to extend state tax deadlines until June 1.
- Governor McMaster has prohibited all organized events of 50 or more people to be held at any state, county, or publicly owned facility.
- As a part of his executive order, McMaster also allowed hospitals to use medical and nursing school students as COVID-19 cases increase.
Additional Resources:
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website dedicated to information about COVID-19 is HERE
Centers for Disease Control and Prevent website dedicated to information about COVID-19 is HERE
