Governor, DPH Announce Major Changes to COVID-19 Restrictions
Effective May 21, most capacity restrictions lifted; Delawareans should follow CDC mask guidance outdoors; larger events still require plan approval from DPH
Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today major upcoming changes to Delaware's COVID-19 restrictions, which become effective on Friday, May 21st.
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All capacity restrictions inside restaurants, retail, other business establishments, and houses of worship will be lifted. Facilities will be able to use as much capacity as social distancing requirements will allow.
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Masks will still be required indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Outdoors, Delawareans should follow masking guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk for COVID19 spread increases in large crowds that include unvaccinated people. In those cases, the CDC recommends that everyone continue to wear a mask. DPH may require masks for crowded venues and large gatherings including concerts, sporting events, etc.
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Social distancing requirements will move from 6 feet to 3 feet.
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Customers must continue to remain seated indoors and outdoors at bars and restaurants, unless a plan for dance floors and other areas is approved by DPH, and distancing of at least 3 feet should be maintained.
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Events over 250 people indoors and outdoors will still require plan approval from DPH to ensure compliance with basic precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As of Monday, May 3, Delaware providers had administered 762,869 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 53 percent of Delawareans 16 and older havae received at least one shot.
