Governor John Carney today modified his State of Emergency declaration, ordering Delawareans to stay at home whenever possible and closing all non-essential businesses to fight the spread of COVID-19.
The orders go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24. They will remain in effect until May 15 or until the public health threat is eliminated.
“This was not an easy decision, but it’s the right decision to protect the safety of Delawareans and Delaware families,” Gov. Carney said. “If you have any questions about whether you should be staying home or going out, stay home. Go to work, and go straight back home. If you don’t need food or other essential items, stay home.
“We’re acting with urgency to prevent a spike in coronavirus cases that could overwhelm our hospital system,” Gov. Carney said. “Delawareans cannot go out in public unnecessarily. Wash your hands and disinfect surfaces frequently. Essential businesses that remain open must provide easy access to handwashing stations or sanitizer, enforce social distancing, and provide flexible sick leave policies for their employees. That will reduce our risk and help keep all Delawareans healthy.”
Delaware employers with questions about how they may be impacted can email [email protected], or call 302-577-8477 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Emails are encouraged due to potentially high call volume.
Click here for a full list of essential and non-essential businesses, as defined by the modified order.
