COVID-19

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As of March 1, 2022, the State of Emergency in Delaware has been TERMINATED

The universal mask mandate has been rescinded in the State of Delaware.

Masks are no longer required in City of Newark buildings.

Latest CDC guidance: Fully Vaccinated or Not Fully Vaccinated

QUESTIONS?  Contact the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus call center at 2-1-1 , or text your zip code to 898-211 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  Questions can also be sent by email to: DPHCall@delaware.gov.  To report a business not in compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions, fill out this form or email HSPcontact@delaware.gov.

Vaccine Questions? Click here or call the Division of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715 or email vaccine@delaware.gov.

We are providing the following reminders to the public as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:

As of February 28, 2022 – The City of Newark has rescinded COVID-19 related gathering limits.

• The longstanding Newark city ordinance relating to the requirement of obtaining a special event permit when more than 150 persons are reasonably expected to attend an event is still in effect.  

Face Coverings and Cleaning (as of March 1, 2022)

• Individuals aged Kindergarten and up are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering while visiting any indoor business or space open to the public in compliance with CDC guidelines and recommendations.
• You can make your own face covering.  See this guidance from the State of Delaware and the CDC. 
• In addition to good hand washing, make sure you clean your phone at least 4 times a day.  See guidance here.

Changes at the Newark Police Department (current as of March 1, 2022):

• The Records window in the police lobby is OPEN to walk-in traffic.  Our Records Division can also be reached by telephone at (302) 366-7100 option 3. 
  • • • Members of the public are encouraged to request copies of police reports from our Records Division using this form.
• Anyone who walks into the police lobby for police assistance will be able to contact a police officer at all times of the day.
• Certain calls that are not in-progress, such as minor thefts, fraud, etc., may be handled by a police officer via telephone as opposed to in-person.
  

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Newark parks and playgrounds are OPEN.

Get updates from the State of Delaware.  Text “add” to (302) 460-2501 to stay informed about COVID-19.

Additional Resources:

• City of Newark Resources – Includes a Newark case tracker and residential social gathering permit information
• State of Delaware Coronavirus Information
  • Community Recovery Resources – Resources and information for recovery from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tracker – Delaware statistics on number of cases, deaths and locations of positive cases
  • Coronavirus FAQ’s specific to Delaware
  • Delaware’s Recovery Website – Website covering what Delaware is doing to reopen the economy
  • Quarantine Guidance – Issued on December 21, 2020
  • Testing Information
    • New Castle County Pop-up Testing Information
  • Vaccination Information
• United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• University of Delaware Resources
  • University of Delaware COVID-19 Data Dashboard and Case Tracker

Expired Governor’s State of Emergency Orders (most recent at the top):

• Termination of State of Emergency – March 1, 2022 – Terminates the State of Emergency effective March 1, 2022. Issues a limited State of Public Health Emergency.
• Fourth Revision – February 7, 2022 – Removes mask mandate in indoor business or spaces open to the public; Maintains mask mandate in schools and childcare centers.
• First Extension of State of Emergency – January 31, 2022 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Third Revision – January 31, 2022 – Allows the Department of Transportation to waive certain laws and regulations related to commercial drivers and vehicles.
• Second Revision – January 14, 2022 – Allows masks to be removed during certain professional performances and professional sporting events.
• First Revision – January 10, 2022 – Everyone aged Kindergarten and up must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, at any indoor business or space open to the public and on public transportation, ride sharing services and school buses.  Masks not required when actively eating or drinking.
• New State of Emergency – January 3, 2022 – Amends requirements for long term care facilities and hospitals  Allows National Guard members to become certified nursing assistants.
• Termination of State of Emergency – July 12, 2021 – Terminates the State of Emergency effective July 13, 2021 and issues a limited State of Public Health Emergency.
• First Revision to the Twenty-Ninth Modification – June 15, 2021 – Educators and staff in schools and child care centers are not required to wear masks when children are not present; Students and staff not required to wear masks outdoors; Masks required by employees and visitors to executive branch offices and Department of Human Resources may make modifications related to state employee face coverings.
• Sixteenth Extension of State of Emergency – June 13, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Twenty-Ninth Modification – May 18, 2021- Effective May 21, 2021: Rescinds all prior state of emergency modifications and consolidates all current provisions into one order; Face coverings required only for: public transit, healthcare facilities, long term care facilities, state facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools and childcare centers;  Allows gatherings up to 250 people without permits; Sports tournaments must submit plans to DPH for approval.
• Fifteenth Extension of State of Emergency – May 14, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Twenty-Eighth Modification – May 12, 2021- (superseded by Twenty-Ninth modification before taking effect) Rescinds all prior state of emergency modifications and consolidates all current provisions into one order; Makes changes to outdoor face covering requirements; Alters distancing requirements; Makes changes to gathering limits.
• Tenth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – April 27, 2021 – Makes various changes to requirements of cleaning and disinfecting; Dining at restaurants limited to six (6) people at a table indoors and ten (10) people outdoors; Removes requirement that participants in amateur sports, including most interscholastic sports, wear masks while playing; Extends CCDW permits expiring on June 1, 2021 to August 1, 2021 as long as a renewal application is submitted.
• Fourteenth Extension of State of Emergency – April 16, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Ninth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – April 1, 2021 – Changes to practices at nursing and other similar facilities; Changes to face covering and other rules for youth and amateur sports.
• Eighth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – March 29, 2021 – Changes to social gatherings and events: Businesses with a fire capacity must follow the formula in the state of emergency order. Businesses or spaces without a fire capacity are limited to no more than 150 people at an outdoor gathering and application can be made to the Division of Public Health for larger gatherings over 150 people;  Changes to youth sports guidelines and allows spectators at youth sports.
• Thirteenth Extension of State of Emergency – March 19, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Seventh Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – February 19, 2021 – Increases size of gatherings at indoor spaces open to public to lesser of 50% of fire capacity or ten (25) people (private indoor gathering limit remains at 10 people); Indoor gatherings and events at any business or indoor space open to the public of over twenty-five (25) people permitted with an application to DPH to host a large indoor gathering or event of up to one hundred fifty (150) people; Group exercise class limit increased to 15.
• Twelfth Extension of State of Emergency – February 19, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Sixth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – February 4, 2021 – Effective February 12, 2021: Increases allowable size of in-person public meetings; Increases allowable size of indoor public gatherings at most businesses to 50%; Increases indoor dining capacity to 50%; Removes quarantine requirement following return from out-of-state youth sports tournaments; Makes changes related to vaccine administration.
• Eleventh Extension of State of Emergency – January 25, 2021 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Fifth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – January 8, 2021 – Stay at home advisory continued until further notice; Restaurants and bars may stay open past 10:00 pm, but indoor dining (30% of fire capacity) limited to 6 people at a table with no more than four (4) adults (all must be from same household); Sports restrictions modified.
• Tenth Extension of State of Emergency – December 24, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Fourth Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – December 10, 2020 – Face coverings required when around people not of same household, irrespective of physical distance; Stay at home advisory from 12/14/20 – 01/11/21; Indoor gatherings at indoor spaces open to public limited to 30% of fire capacity or ten (10) persons; Operations at businesses based on fire capacity and square footage; Effective 12/14/20: Restaurants and bars must close at 10:00 pm (takeout permitted) and indoor dining (30% of fire capacity) limited to 6 people at a table with no more than four (4) adults (all must be from same household); Additional sports restrictions.
• Ninth Extension of State of Emergency – November 25, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Third Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – November 20, 2020 – Indoor gatherings at residences limited to 10 people; Outdoors gatherings limited to 50 people without prior approval from DPH; Restaurants at 30% of fire code capacity; Face coverings shall be worn inside businesses and at restaurants when not eating or drinking; Face coverings required at exercise facilities at all times; Effective 12/1 – out-of-state sports tournament participants must self-quarantine for 14-days or duration of presence in Delaware and hosting or participation in an out-of-state tournaments is prohibited.
• Second Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – November 5, 2020 – Removes restrictions relating to the operation of certain businesses in Sussex County.
• Eighth Extension of State of Emergency – October 30, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Seventh Extension of State of Emergency – October 2, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• First Revision to the Twenty-Seventh Modification – September 25, 2020 – Requires schools to notify parents of a COVID-19 case in the school; Removes FOIA delay provisions; Allows for travel by state employees; Makes changes to gatherings over 250 people and changes email address for plan approvals for businesses to hspcontact@delaware.gov.
• Sixth Extension of State of Emergency – September 3, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Twenty-Seventh Modification – September 3, 2020 – Rescinds all prior state of emergency modifications and consolidates all current provisions into one order.
• Twenty-Sixth Modification – September 1, 2020 – Information about youth sports and sports facilities.
• Twenty-Fifth Modification – August 26, 2020 – Information about school reopening, education information and notification to parents of COVID-19 positive students; Children kindergarten and older must wear face coverings in school; Child care information.
• Fifth Extension of State of Emergency – August 5, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Twenty-Fourth Modification – July 24, 2020 – Restaurants must notify patrons they can provide name and phone number for later contact tracing; Rules for sports; Senior centers may re-open.
• Fourth Extension of State of Emergency – July 6, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications still in effect.
• Twenty-Third Modification – June 30, 2020 – Places restrictions on taprooms, brewpubs and restaurants in Sussex County; Makes changes to insurance payment requirements; Makes changes involving evictions and foreclosures; Allows utility payment plans; Allows the Public Health Authority to inspect a business for compliance with the State of Emergency declaration.
• Twenty-Second Modification – June 19, 2020 – Allows certain sports and tournaments to resume; Allows re-opening of parks and recreation facilities; Allows personal care services to increase occupancy.
• Twenty-First Modification – June 14, 2020 – Implements the Phase 2 Reopening Plan effective June 15, 2020.
• Third Extension of State of Emergency – June 6, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency for another 30 days.  All prior modifications are still in effect.
• Twentieth Modification – May 31, 2020 – Stay-at-home order lifted; Out-of-state visitor quarantine order lifted; Indoor gatherings limited to less than 10; Outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people permitted with restrictions; Restaurants reopen with restrictions; Hotels reopen.
• Nineteenth Modification – May 22, 2020 – Allows expanded outdoor restaurant seating; Institutes Phase 1 Business Reopening plan; Extends expiration of CCDW permits.  See more about the business reopening plan here.
• Eighteenth Modification – May 18, 2020 – Allows in-person services and gatherings at houses of worship with restrictions.  The guidance can be found here.
• Seventeenth Modification – May 14, 2020 – Reopens beaches with restrictions; Allows ice cream shops to reopen; Allows pools to reopen with restrictions; Allows use of golf carts at golf courses.
• Sixteenth Modification – May 10, 2020 – Makes temporary modifications to the State’s education laws and fishing regulations.
• Second Extension of State of Emergency – May 8, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency until May 31,2020 or COVID-19 is eliminated, whichever is later.  All prior modifications are still in effect.
• Fifteenth Modification – May 7, 2020 – Changes date of Presidential Primary election; Allows certain businesses to reopen with limitations; Allows for drive-in graduations and movies with limitations.
• Fourteenth Modification – April 30, 2020 – Modifies Delaware’s Landlord Tenant Code to provide additional protections for residential renters; Extends deadline to apply for Senior School Property Tax Credit Program; Makes changes to signing of death certificates.
• Thirteenth Modification – April 25, 2020 – Effective April 28, 2020 at 8:00 am – Requires a face covering to be worn in public in certain circumstances; Businesses must decline entry to those who refuse to wear a mask for non-medical reasons.
• Twelfth Modification – April 23, 2020 – Allows formerly certified medical personnel to volunteer in Delaware; Allows for marriage licenses to be issued by video.
• Eleventh Modification – April 15, 2020 – Enacts certain requirements for nursing homes; Allows modification of procedures for notarization of documents.
• Extension of State of Emergency – April 10, 2020 – Extends State of Emergency in accordance with state law.
• Tenth Modification – April 6, 2020 – Bans all short-term rental units – including hotels, motels, Airbnb, etc., with some exceptions;  Bans door-to-door solicitation; Closes additional retailers, but allows certain non-essential businesses to operate by appointment; Allows golf course use by in-state residents, but no golf carts permitted.
• Ninth Modification – April 1, 2020 – Limits gatherings to less than ten (10) people, including weddings, funerals, and related activities; Limits amount of people in a store and requires 6-foot distancing.
• Eighth Modification – March 30, 2020 – Closes childcare centers effective April 6, 2020, except for those providing childcare to employees of essential businesses and essential personnel; Requires screening prior to entering a state building.
• Seventh Modification – March 29, 2020 – Requires self-quarantine of fourteen (14) days for those who enter Delaware from another state with certain exceptions.
• Sixth Modification – March 24, 2020 – Changes election dates; Prohibits evictions & foreclosures; Prohibits utilities from terminating service and prohibits termination of insurance policies.
• Fifth Modification – March 22, 2020 – Orders all residents to shelter-in-place and prohibits travel except for essential activities.
• Fourth Modification – March 22, 2020 – Closes all non-essential businesses.
• Third Modification – March 21, 2020 – Closes beaches.
• Second Modification – March 18, 2020 – Closes bowling alleys, movie theaters, sports facilities and fitness centers; Allows takeout sales of alcohol by restaurants.
• First Modification – March 16, 2020 – Limits public gatherings to no more than 50 people and requires restaurants to be take-out/drive through only. 
• Original Order – March 12, 2020 – Enacting a State of Emergency

Other State of Delaware Orders:

• Declaration of a Public Heath Emergency for the State of Delaware – March 1, 2022 – Provides for powers of DEMA and DPH related to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
• Declaration of a Public Heath Emergency for the State of Delaware – July 12, 2021 – Provides for powers of DEMA and DPH related to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
• Declaration of a Public Heath Emergency for the State of Delaware – March 23, 2020
• Additional orders can be found here

** The information on this page refers to other sources and does not constitute legal advice.  Seek legal counsel if you have a specific question as to the current laws and regulations or how the laws, ordinances and regulations apply to your specific situation.  The information on this page is subject to change.