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Governor John Carney on Monday signed Executive Order #39, creating a Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC) to plan for a potentially dangerous resurgence of COVID-19 in fall 2020.
Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and Secretary of State Jeff Bullock will co-chair the PRAC, along with the co-chairs of three subcommittees:
Click here to read Executive Order #39.
“This pandemic is not over,” said Governor Carney. “The COVID-19 virus is still active in Delaware, and there’s a real risk of a dangerous second wave this fall. Our most vulnerable populations – especially our elderly neighbors and those with underlying health conditions – remain most at risk. I want to thank everyone who agreed to serve on this committee. This distinguished group will help us look forward, and develop a comprehensive plan for managing a second wave of this disease.
“In the meantime, Delawareans need to remain vigilant. Visit your favorite restaurant, but maintain social distance in all public settings. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Wear face coverings, and please stay home if you feel sick. Now is not the time to let up.”
Under Governor Carney’s executive order on Monday, the PRAC will:
“We must be prepared as we move into the fall with a plan that assumes there will be no vaccine or treatment in the event COVID-19 resurges,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “These last few months have shown us what has worked, and what has not. We must build on those lessons to improve and protect the health of all Delawareans, in a way that is equitable and fair for all communities, and all sectors of our economy.”
“This is an inclusive and transparent effort to prepare for the worst while continuing to hope for the best,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “We’ve learned a lot in the last few months about what works in responding to a pandemic, and some things that don’t work as well. This committee will build on that experience to improve the ways we’ll respond if we see a resurgence.”
The PRAC will produce and submit two written reports of its findings and recommendations to the Governor – the first by July 31, and the second by September 30. Delaware’s Office of Management and Budget, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the Office of the Governor will provide administrative and leadership support for the PRAC and each of its subcommittees.
The PRAC virtual meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks, and meeting information will be posted on Delaware’s public meeting calendar.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, should call Delaware 2-1-1, or email info@delaware211.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medical-related questions related to testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
The Delaware Division of Public Health will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Due to truck issues, Waste Industries was unable to pick up trash today. They will be in the area tomorrow, so please leave your containers by the road. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Following the Public Participation segment of the May 23, 2020 Council Meeting, it came to the Mayor and Council’s attention that some people were apparently confused by and concerned about the rules being applied to that particular segment of the meeting. Accordingly, the Mayor believes it is important and necessary to issue the following clarification:
The Public Participation segment of the Council Meeting is the time that the Town extends the opportunity to the general public to share with us your questions, thoughts, comments, concerns, and complaints. Those wishing to come forward to take advantage of the Public Participation segment are provided two (2) minutes to share their thoughts, etc.
The Town is always desirous of hearing public comments and is, of course, interested in taking appropriate action in response thereto when the Council deems responsive action to be necessary. However, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Attorney General opinions construing FOIA prohibit the Council and Town officials from actively engaging in discussion of comments made or taking action in response to comments made or questions raised when the issue or topic raised is not properly noticed on the agenda.
Therefore, in the interest of being as compliant with FOIA as possible, it is appropriate for the Council to passively receive comments and questions raised during Public Participation. The Council and Town officials, as they have done in the past, will take said comments and questions under advisement, which may then lead to further communication with the concerned citizen outside of the meeting, discussion of the subject at a future meeting after proper notice of the subject on the agenda, or such other action as the Council and Town officials may deem appropriate and in compliance with any and all applicable FOIA requirements.
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The Fenwick Island Police Department is on Nixle! Sign up today at www.nixle.com, or text 19944 (the Fenwick Island zip code) to 888777!
Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that the State of Delaware will lift the ban on short-term rental units and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers on June 1 as part of the rolling reopening of Delaware’s economy.
Governor Carney previously lifted State of Delaware restrictions on Delaware beaches ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
Phase 1 of Delaware’s economic reopening is scheduled to begin on June 1, allowing retail establishments, restaurants and other businesses to open at 30 percent of stated fire capacity with social distancing requirements and other public health guidance in place.
Read the State of Delaware’s Phase 1 economic reopening guidance.
“We want visitors to enjoy Delaware, our world-class beaches and restaurants, but it’s important that everyone remember that COVID-19 is still very much active in Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “Delawareans who visited our beaches this past weekend acted responsibly, taking basic precautions to protect their families and their neighbors. Thank you. We all need to continue taking steps to protect our most vulnerable. Those steps aren’t complicated. Wash your hands frequently. Maintain distance between yourself and others. Wear a face covering when you’re in a public setting. Don’t let up.”
Governor Carney also announced on Tuesday that outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people – including weddings and outdoor graduation ceremonies – will be permitted in Delaware beginning on June 1, with basic public health precautions in place to protect against spread of COVID-19. Cloth face coverings must be worn in accordance with Governor Carney’s State of Emergency declaration, and individuals must maintain social distance of at least six feet from anyone outside of their household.
Gatherings over 250 individuals are not permitted during Phase 1. However, hosts of planned outdoor large gatherings and events may apply to host a large gathering or event by submitting a plan to the Delaware Division of Small Business at least seven days prior to the event. The Delaware Department of Education will release guidance for outdoor graduations later today.
Read the State of Delaware’s guidance for outdoor gatherings for full details.
Outdoor gatherings should only be carried out if there is strict adherence to social distancing and other public health guidance from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which are intended to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19 infection and serious illness.
In conjunction with the easing of certain business, travel and gathering restrictions, Governor Carney will lift Delaware’s stay-at-home order effective June 1, but he cautioned that Delawareans should continue to avoid unnecessary outings and gatherings to limit community spread of COVID-19.
“We are where we are because Delawareans listened and stayed home,” said Governor Carney. “While we are slowly reopening our economy, it’s critical that Delawareans not rush out and undo all the hard work they’ve done to get us to this point. Let’s continue to be cautious and responsible as we ease our way into this new normal.”
The State of Delaware will release guidance later this week on summer school programs and summer camps.
For additional details about Delaware’s economic reopening, visit de.gov/economy.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, should call Delaware 2-1-1, or email info@delaware211.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medical-related questions related to testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Click here to find the latest COVID-19 testing locations.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Governor Carney on Friday provided an update on Delaware’s statewide testing plan, which aims to increase access to 80,000 tests in Delaware monthly. The plan is a partnership with the Division of Public Health (DPH), the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware hospital systems, primary care physicians and other providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, pharmacies, and community-based organizations like non-profits and churches.
Vulnerable populations, including elderly Delawareans and members of low-income and at-risk communities, are among those prioritized for community-based testing under the plan. Other priority groups include symptomatic individuals, anyone with known exposure to COVID-19, and certain front-line essential workers.
The state is working with partners to transition from symptom-driven hospital-based testing operations, to a proactive, collaborative community-based testing strategy. The state’s evolving approach is possible due to an increase in testing resources, and has two key components: Curative drive-through events open more broadly to the public occurring multiple times a week across the state, and targeted walk-up and drive-through events in areas of Delaware that are home to citizens who are more vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 because of long-standing inequities.
“We know that widespread community testing needs to be in place before we can safely reopen our economy. With the help of our partners, I am confident that we have put a plan in place that gets us to the starting line,” said Governor Carney. “Through this collaborative effort, we will be able to diagnose symptomatic Delawareans and detect asymptomatic spread with this community-based strategy. I want to thank all of our partners who are stepping up for their fellow Delawareans during this crisis. Delawareans should continue to stay vigilant. Keep your distance from others. Wear a face covering in public settings, including on the boardwalk. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Now is not the time to let up.”
Locations for testing events are being driven by data related to high incidence rates for COVID-19 cases. Testing times and locations will continue to be posted on a new testing calendar on the coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing website several days in advance. In the case of Curative events, Delawareans need to sign up for an appointment ahead of time and watch an instructional video on the same webpage. Other community-based events will continue to target locations in vulnerable communities who have historically lacked access to healthcare and social service resources.
The first community testing event using the newly acquired Curative, saliva-based tests took place last week in partnership with Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford, where approximately 600 individuals were tested in four hours. An additional 900 individuals were tested at an event in Middletown on Thursday in partnership with ChristianaCare.
The next scheduled large-scale Curative drive-through testing event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday May 24, at the DelDOT Administration Building (located on the campus of the Dover DMV). Pre-registration at delaware.curativeinc.com to reserve your place and reduce wait time is strongly encouraged.
Limited on-site registration will be available.
Additional vulnerable community-based testing sites and testing of senior high-rise housing locations in Wilmington is planned for next week in partnership with hospitals, the state and federally qualified health centers.
In addition to community-based testing sites, the Division of Public Health continues to work with Long Term Care facilities (LTCs) to implement universal testing and is working with medical providers and LTCs to create a sentinel surveillance system for COVID-19. DPH will also soon release testing guidance for businesses. Hospital systems will continue to administer tests both on site and in the community.
Delaware’s new testing strategy will be implemented alongside a robust contact tracing program to isolate infected individuals and their close contacts. More information about contact tracing can be found: coronavirus.delaware.gov/contact-tracing. The State’s vendor NORC is scheduled to begin accepting applications on its website: norc.org/WorkingAtNORC at 5 p.m. Friday May 22.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, should call Delaware 2-1-1 or email info@211delaware.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Medically related questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
DE businesses: As you prepare for Phase 1 on June 1, take a look at these printable signs with public health guidance to display on your doors and windows.
COVID-19 is still active in Delaware, even as we take steps to reopen Delaware’s economy and get Delawareans back to work. It’s important that we continue to follow basic health precautions to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors.
View and download the signs here: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/for-businesses/
Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced additional steps allowing retail establishments and restaurants to expand operations – while maintaining social distancing to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Under the interim steps announced on Tuesday, all retail establishments in Delaware may operate by appointment only beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Restaurants, bars, taprooms and craft breweries may also apply to expand outdoor seating capacity to safely serve additional customers when the businesses reopen next month. Applications to expand outdoor seating capacity will be available on Friday, May 22, and expansions would be authorized to begin on June 1.
Delaware retailers and restaurants are scheduled to open their indoor spaces at 30 percent of stated fire capacity during Phase 1 of Delaware’s economic reopening, beginning June 1. The additional interim steps announced on Tuesday will give retailers and restaurants additional new ways to safely expand their operations by appointment and outdoors.
“This is another step forward in the rolling reopening of Delaware’s economy,” said Governor Carney. “It’s our hope that these additional steps will safely bring some relief to Delaware businesses and workers who have made real financial sacrifices during this COVID-19 crisis. But as we reopen, Delawareans should stay vigilant. Keep your distance from others. Wear a face covering in public settings. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. That’s how we’ll limit community spread of COVID-19 and get Delaware’s economy back going again.”
Retail establishments covered by Tuesday’s announcement – including but not limited to clothing and shoe stores, used merchandise retailers and florists – may accept two appointments per half hour and must adhere to strict social distancing and cleaning guidance from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Under Tuesday’s order, all Delaware food and drink establishments may apply to their local municipal or county jurisdiction to expand their outdoor seating capacity. Plans for adding outdoor capacity must consider local traffic patterns and noise ordinances. Boundaries must be clearly defined to prevent beverages from being carried offsite. Applicants that hold a liquor license must also have their plans reviewed by the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control prior to receiving approval.
For additional details about Delaware’s economic reopening, visit de.gov/economy. Application details will be available on the site starting Friday.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Health or medically-related COVID-19 questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
The Delaware State Police have been made aware of a new scam in the area involving the World Health Organization. According to the World Health Organization’s webpage, there are various internet scams involving emails circulating implying to be from or associated with the World Health Organization (W.H.O.). The scam emails request money or information from non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals with a promise of funds or other benefits sent in return. The emails appear to come from W.H.O. or a United Nations address. In the scam reported to the Delaware State Police, the email address came from an organization with which the individual was familiar.
The Delaware State Police would like to remind the public to never send money or personal information in response to anyone who claims to be awarding funds, grants, scholarships, certificates, lottery winnings, or prizes.
If you have any doubts about an email, letter, or phone call you received, please verify its authenticity before taking any action. The Delaware State Police remind citizens to remain vigilant as the Coronavirus situation evolves, as there have been numerous scams associated with the outbreak. For up to date accurate information, call Delaware 211 or visit https://de.gov/Coronavirus.
As a reminder, there have been numerous other scams associated with the outbreak. Please review the information from the Federal Trade Commission on how to identify a scam at https://ftc.gov/coronavirus. For additional information regarding the World Health Organization scam, please visit https://www.who.int/about/scamalert/en/.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.
The first named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Arthur, is expected off our coast today and tomorrow.
With this storm, expect surfs of 8-12 feet with a high risk of rip currents, with wind gusts of 30-40 mph.
There is another system moving in that will provide intermittent rain through Thursday totaling 1-2″. Localized flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas will be possible.
Governor John Carney on Monday issued updated guidance for churches and other houses of worship in Delaware. The guidance – created in coordination with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Delaware Council of Faith-Based Partnerships – encourages virtual services but expands the ability for churches and other houses of worship to conduct in-person services with restrictions.
Gatherings must be limited to 30 percent of stated fire code occupancy. Strict social distancing must be maintained. High-risk Delawareans, including those over 65-years-old, and anyone who is sick should not attend in-person services. Anyone 13-years-old or older must wear a face covering. Children 2-years-old and younger should not wear a face covering due to risk of suffocation.
Read Delaware’s full guidance for churches and other houses of worship.
Read Governor Carney’s latest modification to the State of Emergency Declaration.
“All of Delaware’s restrictions – including those inside our churches and other houses of worship – are intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Governor Carney. “I know it’s difficult. Practicing your faith is a fundamental right. But Delawareans who are at higher risk should not attend in-person services. Do your best to practice your faith virtually. Wear a cloth face covering if you attend an in-person service. Remain at least six feet away from others. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Now’s not the time for Delawareans to let up.”
Service or gathering times must be staggered to permit cleaning of public spaces between services, in accordance with guidance from DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Exchange of materials of any kind during services is strongly discouraged. Baptisms, weddings and funerals are permitted if the services can follow precautions in the updated guidance.
Under Governor Carney’s stay-at-home order, churches and other houses of worship are essential, but must adhere to basic safety precautions to protect congregants from COVID-19 infection and transmission.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Health or medically-related COVID-19 questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
