The Bluffton Health Department, working with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, has issued new guidelines and updates relevant to Bluffton and surrounding Lowcountry communities as of October 2025. Key public health focuses include stronger infectious disease precautions, new regulations for local food vendors, and ongoing initiatives to improve healthcare access as Bluffton grows rapidly.​
Key New Guidelines and Health Initiatives
Farmers Market & Food Vendor Rules: All food vendors at the Bluffton Farmers Market must comply with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) requirements and provide documentation of permits and approved kitchen certifications. Organic produce must be USDA certified, and value-added food vendors are prohibited from selling resale items, strengthening traceability and safety at local markets.​
Respiratory Illness Precautions: The Bluffton Health Department reiterates advice from state health leaders to protect against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV—including updated vaccine recommendations for the fall season, hand hygiene, and staying home if experiencing symptoms. At-risk groups are urged to take particular caution.​
Expanding Local Healthcare Access: Beaufort Memorial Hospital has received approval to build a new Bluffton Community Medical Campus, including an emergency department and ambulatory surgery center. This project is part of ongoing efforts to provide Bluffton residents with greater access to essential health services in a rapidly growing region.​
Additional Topics
Federal health policy changes are set to impact regulatory requirements for providers, streamlining some administrative burdens while maintaining quality and accountability in Bluffton and the Carolinas.​
All local food, health, and childcare businesses should monitor DHEC bulletins for evolving safety and compliance protocols in the 2025-2026 season.​
Residents and local businesses are encouraged to keep up to date with the Bluffton Health Department and state health advisories for the latest in public safety, infectious disease guidance, and community health resources.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.farmersmarketbluffton.org/pdfs/2025-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf)
[2](https://www.bmhsc.org/news/groundbreaking-news-bluffton)
[3](https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases)
[4](https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-key-health-care-issues-to-track-in-2025-in-the-carolinas)
[5](https://dph.sc.gov)
