Delaware governor John Carney issued a state of emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on January 3, 2022. On January 10, 2022, this order was amended to require masking in public indoor settings and on public transportation.
The current order states that all individuals aged Kindergarten and up must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, while in the following places:
- when they are an employee or rider on public transportation, or a school bus, paratransit vehicle, taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
- when they are an employee or visitor at any indoor business or space open to the public; or
- when wearing a mask is otherwise required by law or regulation.
The order allows exceptions when:
- actively eating or drinking in food and drink establishments;
- engaged in any activity that makes wearing a mask not feasible, such as swimming, dental appointments or personal care services where the face must be exposed;
- in houses of worship or places of religious expression;
- a person is in a personal office (a single room) when others outside of that person’s household are not present. Masks are not required in an open plan or cubicle setting when a person is seated and can maintain at least six (6) feet of distance between themselves and others outside of that person’s household; or
- outdoors
A mask means a type of mask or respirator recommended by CDC guidance available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html.