Updated: May 31, 2020
REOPENING PLAN
TWENTIETH MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION OF
A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE
As of June 1, 2020, Delaware has entered Phase I of its economic reopening as the state’s stay-at-home order and related modifications lapsed on May 31, 2020. Under Phase I and the latest modification of the state’s State of Emergency Order, businesses in a number of categories may operate at 30% occupancy limit, including food & drink establishments, arts & culture (e.g., museums and galleries), retail, malls, barber shops/hair salons/tanning salons, exercise facilities, and commercial lodging. Other categories of businesses may operate pursuant to individual guidance issued by the state.
Updated: May 15, 2020
SECOND EXTENSION OF THE DECLARATION OF
A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE
Delaware extended its State of Emergency declaration, including the stay-at-home order and its other modifications, through May 31, 2020. However, the state also issued a further modification to reopen its beaches as of 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2020. June 1, 2020 has been set as the target date for Phase I of Delaware’s economic reopening.
EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
(COVID-19 DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY)
Executive Summary
The Delaware Executive Order requires all citizens living within the State to stay at home except as allowed in the Order, and requires all businesses and operations in the State, except “Essential Businesses,” to cease all activities until May 15, 2020 or the threat of COVID-19 has been eliminated. The Order provides a detailed listing of Essential Businesses. Any business deemed a Non-Essential Business may continue to offer goods and services over the Internet.
Summary of Order
- Issued on March 22, 2020, Effective as of March 24, 2020 at 8:00am
- All businesses and operations in the State, except Essential Businesses are required to cease all activities within the State.
- All Essential Businesses are encouraged to remain open. Essential Businesses shall comply, to the extent reasonably possible, with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Executive Order, including by maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and members of the public at all times and not shaking hands.
- Essential Businesses means business involved in the following industries:
- Healthcare and Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and First Responders
- Food and Agriculture
- Energy
- Water and Wastewater
- Transportation and Logistics
- Public Works
- Communications and Information Technology
- Other Community-Based Government Operations and Essential Functions
- Manufacturing
- Manufacturing of materials, goods, products, or similar distribution.
- Hazardous Materials
- Financial Services and Insurance
- Chemical
- Defense Industrial Base
- Construction
- Necessary Product Retailers
- Medical supplies
- Dry goods
- Hardware
- Alcohol
- Any other household consumer products or other products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operations or residences.
- Necessary Retail and Services Establishments
- Businesses that ship, sell, or that act as wholesalers to retail establishments selling Necessary Products (as defined above)
- Appliance repair, electricians, exterminators, plumbers
- Automobile and bicycle repair shops
- Lawn and garden retailers
- Warehouses
- Professional services
- Laundromats
- Open Air Facilities
- Non-Essential business include:
- Casinos and sporting facilities
- Entertainment venues
- Golf courses
- Real estate agencies
- Shopping malls
- Retail stores not designated as Essential
Social Distancing Requirements
- Essential Businesses and Operations and businesses engaged in Minimum Basic Operations must take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Social Distancing Requirements, including:
- Designate six-foot distances.
- Washing hands for at least 20seconds or using hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes (not with hands)
- Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces
- Not shaking hands
Enforcement
Any failure to comply with the order constitutes a criminal offense. State and local law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce the Order.