SEVENTH MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE DUE TO A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT

Executive Department Dover 

SEVENTH MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION OF
A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE
STATE OF DELAWARE DUE TO A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT 

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has determined that a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) presents a serious public health threat, and has advised the public that asymptomatic individuals may be carriers of the COVID-19 virus and may unknowingly spread the virus to other individuals in close proximity, and therefore, social distancing is required to help mitigate the individual exposure to (and community spread of) the COVID-19 virus;

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State to protect its citizens from a potential public health 
emergency that could threaten the lives of those who live and work here;

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. E.D.T., I issued a State of Emergency due to the public health threat of COVID-19, which became effective as of 8:00 a.m. E.D.T. on March 13, 2020 (the “COVID-19 State of Emergency”);

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. E.D.T., I issued the First Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration to advise that the CDC issued new guidance for large

events and mass gatherings, recommending that organizers halt gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks due to the public health threat of COVID-19, including conferences, social 

events, concerts and other types of assemblies;

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. E.D.T., I issued the Second Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration that modified the limitations on public gatherings of 50 or more people and, among other things, placed certain restriction on the operation of certain businesses and facilities in the State of Delaware; 

WHEREAS, on March 21, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. E.D.T., I issued the Third Modification to the State of Emergency declaration to close all Delaware beaches, except to persons using the beaches for exercise or to walk their dogs, subject to certain precautions recommended by the CDC on COVID-19, which became effective as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T.; 

WHEREAS, on March 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. and 4:02 p.m. E.D.T., respectively, I issued the Fourth and Fifth Modifications to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration to close all non-essential businesses in Delaware, except those that can offer goods and services on the Internet, and to order a Shelter in Place for Delaware residents; 

WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. I issued the Sixth Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration to provide a moratorium on evictions and foreclosure proceedings to enable Delawareans to shelter in place safely, extended the presidential primary, provided for absentee balloting during the COVID-19 crisis, provided for a modified state procurement process, and placed a moratorium on cancellation of insurance policies for delay in premium payments caused by the economic uncertainty; 

WHEREAS, aggressive and sustained efforts are necessary to slow the spread of COVID- 19 and to lessen the strain on Delaware’s healthcare system; 

WHEREAS, treatment of COVID-19 threatens to overwhelm Delaware’s ability to respond to the virus; 

WHEREAS, numerous COVID-19 clusters with substantial community spread have developed across the United States; 

WHEREAS, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, recently urged everyone who has departed hotspot areas to self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days to ensure that COVID-19 does not spread to others; 

WHEREAS, all fifty (50) states and the District of Columbia have reported COVID-19 cases and have declared states of emergency; 

WHEREAS, individuals from other states are likely to travel to Delaware to seek refuge or healthcare, and Delaware has seen multiple COVID-19-related hospitalizations of individuals with out-of-state domiciles; and 

WHEREAS, travel to areas with substantial community spread may increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19, all Delawareans are requested to refrain from all non-essential travel outside of Delaware and individuals from other states are encouraged to remain in their state of residence.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN C. CARNEY, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, in an effort to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 from other states and cities with substantial community spread to individuals within the State of Delaware, do hereby order, effective March 30, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. E.D.T.:

1. Any individual who enters Delaware from another state, and who is not merely passing through, must immediately self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days from the time of entry into Delaware or for the duration of the individual’s presence in Delaware, whichever period is shorter. This self-quarantine requirement shall not apply to public health, public safety, or healthcare workers, or any other individual providing an assistance to an Essential Business or providing an emergency service related to COVID-19. This self-quarantine requirement shall not apply to individuals commuting into Delaware to work for an Essential Business or to perform Minimum Business Operations as permitted by the Fifth Modification of the Declaration of a State of Emergency.

2. Any person who has come to Delaware within the last fourteen (14) days must immediately self-quarantine for the remainder of the fourteen (14) day period since arrival in Delaware. The self-quarantine shall not apply to affected individuals who are returning to their state of residence.
   
3. Self-quarantine requires that an individual stay in a quarantine location (home, hotel room or rented lodging); does not go to work, school or public areas; does not use public transportation; separates from other individuals in a residence as much as possible; and avoids sharing personal items. These self-quarantine requirements shall also incorporate any subsequent guidance issued by the CDC and/or the Division of Public Health (“DPH”) after the signing of this Order.
   
4. Individuals self-quarantining under this Order are permitted to leave the quarantine location for a medical emergency or to seek medical care.
   
5. Individuals self-quarantining under this Order shall be responsible for all costs associated with their self-quarantine, including transportation, lodging, food, medical care and any other expenses to sustain the person during the period of self-quarantine.
   

6. This self-quarantine shall not apply to those traveling to care for a family member, friend, or pet in Delaware, or to the transport of family members, friends, pets, or livestock as allowed by this and previous Orders. 
   
   
7. Individuals traveling to Delaware to work for an Essential Business but who could otherwise work from home, are strongly encouraged to work from home. 
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8. This Order has the force and effect of law. Any failure to comply with the provisions contained in a Declaration of a State of Emergency or any modification to a Declaration of the State of Emergency constitutes a criminal offense. 20 Del. C. §§ 3115 (b); 3116 (9); 3122; 3125. State and local law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce the provisions of any Declaration of a State of Emergency.
   APPROVED this 29th day of March 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
   __________________________________________
   Governor