Governor John Carney on Saturday formally extended the State of Emergency declaration in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. Under Delaware law, State of Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days.
“As more people interact with one another in Delaware and across the country, we need to remain vigilant and follow public health guidelines,” said Governor Carney. “It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is still active. Following social distancing and face-covering guidelines makes it possible to reopen our economy by helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We need to think about our neighbors who may be more vulnerable to this virus, and act with a sense of community.”
Currently in Phase I of reopening, the state will begin moving into Phase II on June 15, 2020. (A previous version of this story had the Phase II date as July 15, 2020 – That was a typo.)
Read Extension Below
THIRD EXTENSION OF THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE
STATE OF DELAWARE DUE TO A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT
WHEREAS, in connection with the serious public health threat from the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) that has impacted the State of Delaware, I issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency for the entire state at 3:00 p.m. on March 12, 2020; and
WHEREAS, during the past eighty-six days, I have issued Twenty Modifications to the State of Emergency declaration first to protect from the spread of COVID-19 by, among others things, limit social gatherings, close places of public accommodation, restrict beach access, close childcare to all but emergency care, restrict business operations to essential businesses only with non-essential businesses either closed or remote working only, and order a shelter in place for all Delawareans, and then to begin to reopen the state by, among other things, require individuals to wear cloth face coverings both inside essential businesses and outside when social distancing is difficult, permit businesses and other places of public accommodation to reopen slowly, reopen the beaches, lifted the quarantine and restrictions on commercial lodgings, and other measures to reopen the economy while still focused on protecting the public health, safety and welfare of Delawareans during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, after eighty-six days, the State of Delaware continues to face a serious public health threat from COVID-19 and the harm to life remains; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Delaware’s emergency management statutes, a State of Emergency proclaimed by the Governor may not continue for more than 30 days without being renewed; and
WHEREAS, I extended the State of Emergency for an additional 30 days on April 10, 2020 and a second time for an additional 30 days on May 8, 2020; and
WHEREAS, I find that the conditions necessitating a State of Emergency continue to exist and require that the State of Emergency remains in effect.
NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN C. CARNEY, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the State of Delaware, do hereby declare:
- The State of Emergency due to COVID-19, first declared March 12, 2020 and subsequently modified as set forth above is extended, effective immediately.
- All provisions of the State of Emergency and its Twenty Modifications currently in place shall remain in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with state law.
APPROVED this 6th day of June 2020 at 12:30 p.m.
John C. Carney