Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020:
The Town of Chapin will modify services until further notice to protect citizens and minimize opportunities to spread COVID-19 in the community.
Taking into consideration the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations on social distancing and measures taken across the nation to include travel bans, school closures, quarantines and event cancellations, the Town will take the following precautionary measures:
- Non-essential Town employees will report on staggered schedules or telecommute to minimize person-to-person contact.
- All community room events will be canceled until at least March 28. Access to public buildings will be limited.
- Business License renewal applications can be mailed in. Upon receipt of payment, licenses will be mailed to the owner. If assistance calculating the license amount is needed, please call 803-345-2444.
- Permits, licensing and payment assistance will be handled online or by phone.
- Requests for water to be restored, payment arrangement and delinquency procedures will be modified. Please call 803-575-8042 or go to the Town of Chapin website for more information.
- All meetings of the Town Commissions and Boards are postponed until further notice.
Essential Services and Personnel to Continue Operations with CautionTown of Chapin Police Department:- All emergency calls will be handled following normal operational protocols.
- Police HQ lobby will be closed to the public. Citizens will be redirected or screened by staff via intercom and telephone at the main entrance.
- Police staff will triage citizen walk ups and address appropriately on case by case basis.
- Police response will be limited to emergency/in-progress calls.
- Non-emergency calls will be handled by phone.
- Non-emergency police reports will be completed over the phone. If you have a report that you would like to file please contact 803-785-2521.
- In an attempt to increase visibility and to accommodate abnormal business hours and operations of local businesses, additional property checks will be done as call volume allows.
- All ride-alongs will be postponed.
Chapin Water and Sewer:
Customers can be assured that our water is safe to drink. Our standard disinfection and treatment practices are very effective for inactivation and removal of viruses, including COVID-19. Water treatment is provided by the City of Columbia with Water distribution provided by the Town of Chapin.
Business continuity plans have been implemented to ensure the supply of clean, safe drinking water and environmental protection through effective management of our wastewater.
- All Water and Wastewater Operations will continue.
- In person water and sewer tap sales will be limited. All tap sales should be handled by calling the Utility Department at (803) 345-0416 prior to the office visit. Water and sewer monthly user fees maybe paid online, by mail or by using the outside drop box located at the Utility Department Office. In person payments will be limited to employee availability.
- Leak repair, restoration and sewer call response will continue, but on a prioritized basis. There may be a delayed response for minor issues.
- Limit employee-to-employee contact and employee-to-public contact.
Public Works: - Solid Waste service will run on normal schedules at this time.
- The following essential functions will continue, with any necessary additional safety protocols for staff and adjustments to shifts as needed: Performance of maintenance, landscaping, tree trimming/pruning. Public access to Public Works is restricted.
- Employee-to-employee contact and employee-to-public contact will be limited in accordance with appropriate CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.
Want to know more about COVID-19:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as pneumonia. DHEC is working with CDC to identify all those who might have been in contact with these individuals. These people will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
People can help to prevent the spread of the virus in the following ways:
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. And, always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- stay home when you’re sick.
- cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue and put it in the trash immediately.
- clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- get the influenza vaccine.
For general questions about COVID-19 residents should visit the DHEC website at
scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the
CDC website here.
For residents concerned about their own personal health or are showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your personal doctor or healthcare provider. DHEC has launched its Care Line. If residents have general questions about COVID-19, the DHEC Care Line is here to help. Call 1-855-472-3432. Staff are answering calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call volume has been high. Callers are urged to be patient if they receive a busy signal and try their call at a later time.
DHEC ResourcesAdditional Resources For the latest updates, please visit check out the town’s website (www.chapinsc.com) and follow us on our social media platforms: Facebook (
TownofChapinSC) and Instagram (townofchapin).
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
