Second Extension – Declaration of a State of Emergency

A digital version of the signed declaration: Second Extension of the State of Emergency.

SECOND EXTENSION OF THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE
STATE OF DELAWARE DUE TO A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT

WHEREAS, in connection with the serious public health threat from the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) that has impacted the State of Delaware, I issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency for the entire state at 3:00 p.m. on March 12, 2020; and

WHEREAS, during the past fifty-seven days, I have issued Fifteen Modifications to the State of Emergency declaration to, among others things, limit social gatherings to fewer than 10 persons, close places of public accommodation, restrict beach access, close childcare to all but emergency care, restrict business operations to essential businesses only with non-essential businesses either closed or remote working only, order a shelter in place for all Delawareans, close table service in restaurants and bars, close commercial lodging to leisure guests, place a moratorium on evictions and foreclosure proceedings, require travelers from out of state to self-quarantine upon arrival in the state, require individuals to wear cloth face coverings both inside essential businesses and outside when social distancing is difficult, permit minimum business transactions to begin the slow process of reopening the economy, and a number of additional measures designed to protect the public health, safety and welfare of Delawareans during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, after fifty-seven days, the State of Delaware continues to face a serious public health threat from COVID-19 and the harm to life remains; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Delaware’s emergency management statutes, a State of Emergency proclaimed by the Governor may not continue for more than 30 days without being renewed; and

WHEREAS, I extended the State of Emergency for an additional 30 days on April 10, 2020; and

WHEREAS, I find that the conditions necessitating a State of Emergency continue to exist and require that the State of Emergency remains in effect.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN C. CARNEY, hereby declare:

  1. The State of Emergency due to COVID-19, first declared March 12, 2020 and subsequently modified as set forth above is extended, effective immediately.
  2. Pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, all provisions of the State of Emergency and its Fifteen Modifications that restrict activities until after May 15, 2020 (including: event gatherings; beach closures; travel limitations and business closings) are hereby modified to restrict operations until after May 31, 2020, or the public health threat from COVID-19 has been eliminated, whichever is later.
  3. All other provisions of the State of Emergency and its Modifications currently in place shall remain in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with state law.

APPROVED this 8th day of May 2020 at 12:30 p.m.

John C. Carney
Governor