Governor Carney Issues Stay-at-Home Order for Delawareans, Non-essential Businesses to Close at 8 a.m. Tuesday

NEWS:  Governor Carney Issues Stay-at-Home Order for Delawareans, Non-essential Businesses to Close at 8 a.m. Tuesday 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. Click here for a full list of essential and non-essential businesses, as defined by the modified order.  Click here for answers to frequently asked questions. "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 hand washing 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 covid19faq@delaware.gov, or call 302-577-8477 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Emails are encouraged due to potentially high call volume.  Early next week, new information on school closures will be released. Leaving your home is allowed under Governor Carney's order for essential activities. Delawareans may leave their homes to get groceries, pick up a prescription, see a doctor, and engage in other activities essential to their health, and the health and well-being of their family members, including pets.  Delawareans may also engage in outdoor activity, but must adhere to social distancing guidelines.  Additional details are available in the text of Governor Carney's order. The modified order requires essential Delaware businesses to implement flexible and non-punitive sick leave policies for their employees, in accordance with guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).  Employers must follow social distancing policies, protect high-risk workers, provide hand-washing or sanitizer stations, and follow all health guidelines for internal cleaning.  Visitors are not allowed at essential Delaware businesses under Sunday's order, unless they are providing an essential service. Government agencies are urged to take steps needed to provide shelter for Delawareans experiencing homelessness, in accordance with CDC guidance.  Homeless individuals are otherwise not subject to the shelter in place order.  Delawareans whose homes are unsafe -- such as victims of domestic violence -- are urged to and seek a safe, alternative residence.  Those at high risk of infection and illness from COVID-19 and Delawareans who are sick are urged to stay in their home except as necessary to seek medical care. State of Delaware offices will remain open but state employees should telecommute wherever possible, in accordance with guidelines from the Delaware Department of Human Resources.  Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health's Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 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.

NEWS: Eleven New COVID-19 Cases Detected March 22, 2020, 4 p.m. -- The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) today reported 11 additional positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been detected in the state since yesterday.   There have been 56 total laboratory-confirmed cases in Delaware since March 11.  Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 39 are from New Castle County, five are from Kent County, and 12 are from Sussex County.    Of these cases, 30 are male and 26 are female.  The individuals range in age from 14 to 80.  Six individuals are currently hospitalized; three are critically ill.  To protect personal health information, DPH will not be disclosing additional information about the individuals.    The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state.    If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, especially vulnerable populations.   For individuals who are sick, particularly with fever and cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps.    Many individuals infected with COVID-19 recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids and taking pain and fever-reducing medications.  However, illness can be severe and require hospitalization in some cases.   DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available.  For the latest on Delaware's response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

Beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 23, Delaware health systems will operate standing health facility test sites, where health care staff will test individuals who have been evaluated by a medical provider and have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. A physician order or prescription is required. Standing health facility test sites will include: New Castle County:  ChristianaCare will operate two testing sites, one in Newark, one in Wilmington; Saint Francis Healthcare will operate one site in Wilmington. Kent County:  Bayhealth will operate one testing site in Dover. Sussex County:  Beebe Healthcare will operate two testing sites, one in Millsboro and one in Frankford; Nanticoke will operate one testing site in Seaford. For more information, click here.

NEWS: Division of Motor Vehicles Changing Operations Tomorrow Effective tomorrow, Monday, March 23, all four Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations will go to kiosk, drive-through and emergency appointment only.  Dealer paperwork can be dropped off for processing and picked up when notified. Inspection lanes will remain open as no personal interaction is required, and the drive-through windows at each location will have additional staff working to process DMV-related transactions.  At no time will there be more than 10 people permitted in DMV lobbies. To schedule an appointment for urgent business at DMV that cannot wait until after the current situation passes, please call: Delaware City Driver Services:  302-365-8771 Delaware City Vehicle Services:  302-365-8770 Dover Driver Services:  302-744-2703 Dover Vehicle Services:  302-744-2568 Georgetown Driver Services:  302-853-1044 Georgetown Vehicle Services:  302-853-1034 Wilmington Driver Services:  302-434-3209 Wilmington Vehicle Services:  302-434-3208 Additionally, for DelDOT maintenance and operations field crews and contractors, crews will be limited to two persons so that there are no more than two people in a work vehicle at the same time. If you are feeling sick, please do not visit public facilities and avoid public transportation.