COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware
This allowed for the Delaware National Guard to take precautionary actions and prepare for further response to the disease, for the state to conduct public meetings electronically, and prevented the price gouging of goods.The order also addressed school notification for COVID-19 positive cases, face coverings for students K-12, in-person education, child care, and other guidelines.[22] Electronic checkout of materials from the Delaware Public Libraries continued without interruption via a digital media services app known as hoopla.[24] Governor John Carney declared a state of emergency on March 12, allowing for the Delaware National Guard to prepare for the spread of COVID-19.Governor Carney issued the order Sunday night, set to go in effect Tuesday morning at 8:00 am, stating "All non-essential businesses are closed.[38] On June 25, Governor Carney delayed entering Phase 3 of its reopening plan, explaining that "too many Delawareans and visitors are not following basic public health precautions.By exchanging an anonymous, randomly-generated digital code, the app uses Bluetooth technology to alert users if they have been in close contact (less than six feet for more than fifteen minutes) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.[46] By September 19, the University of Delaware vowed to crack down on social distancing violations amid the largest single-day spike of infections for the state, with 34 students testing positive for COVID-19.[47] On October 9, University of Delaware Athletics suspended 19 members of its swimming and diving teams after they violated the City of Newark's gathering limits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[48] On Friday, October 9, Sussex County Vocational Technical School District officials announced that two teachers had tested positive for novel coronavirus COVID-19.Sussex Technical High School, located in Georgetown, closed for two days of deep cleaning and those who had been in touch with the teachers were notified for self-monitoring.[49] On October 10, Wilmington University announced that all courses would remain virtual through the Spring 2021 semester due to increasing COVID-19 cases as reported by Delaware and the CDC.[51] On November 27, the Delaware Restaurant Association posted photos of a crowded food court at the Christiana Mall on Black Friday.[56] On January 8, Governor Carney lifted the 10:00 pm curfew for restaurants and bars and also allowed youth sports to resume at 30 percent capacity.In addition, youth sports tournaments will be allowed to resume on February 12 if they have a safety plan approved by the state health department.[63] On April 28, during a virtual town hall meeting, Governor Carney and Delaware Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay announced that fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear a mask in outdoor settings unless they are outside with a large group.[65] On May 14, Governor Carney announced the mask mandate will be lifted effective May 21 and that residents and visitors should instead follow CDC guidelines, which allow fully vaccinated people to not wear masks in indoor and outdoor settings, except crowded indoor settings such as public transit, airplanes, schools, healthcare facilities, prisons, and homeless shelters.Under the program, any Delawarean vaccinated between May 25 and June 29 will be entered to win $5,000 and additional prizes in drawings held twice a week by the Delaware Lottery.[68] On August 6, the University of Delaware announced that all students and staff will be required to wear masks in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.[70] On August 12, Governor Carney announced that effective September 30, all state employees and staff in healthcare and long-term care facilities will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be regularly tested for COVID-19.[73] On December 21, the DE Division of Public Health (DPH) announced the introduction of a QR code for individuals when they download their COVID-19 vaccination record.Delaware State University continued that they were delaying the students return to campus by two weeks, with the semester starting virtually on January 10.[76] On December 30, Governor Carney announced that a new state of emergency would be imposed starting on January 3, 2022, due to a rise in cases and hospitalizations caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.[77] On January 10, Governor Carney imposed a new mask mandate for indoor public settings including convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, shopping malls, and casinos effective January 11 while also extending the mask mandate for public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities.[84][85] After high school sports practice resumed at the end of September, athletes in football, volleyball, field hockey and boys soccer were getting used to playing with masks, as required of all DIAA teams by the Delaware Division of Public Health.Volleyball huddles disappeared to lessen close contact and coaches reduced the amount of continuous running during track practice because of mask wearing.[88] Delaware State University (DSU) reported on July 16, 2020, that the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) suspended all Fall 2020 sports.
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