WILMINGTON, Del.- Gov. John Carney on Saturday issued the 13th modification to his State of Emergency Declaration requiring Delawareans to wear face coverings in public settings, including in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor's offices, and on public transportation.
Carney's order does not require children aged 12 or younger to wear a face covering.
Any child 2-years-old or younger MUST NOT wear a face covering, due to the risk of suffocation.
This order becomes effective at 8 a.m., Tuesday, April 28.
Under Carney's modified order, businesses must also take certain steps to keep their employees and customers safe.
By 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, businesses must:
- Require employees to wear a face covering while working in areas open to the public and in areas where coming within 6 feet of other staff is likely.
- Provide, at the business' expense, face coverings and hand sanitizer for their employees.
- Deny entry to individuals who do not have a face covering - or if one is not available for them.
- If any business denying entry is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, the business must provide alternate methods of pickup or delivery.
Delawareans are urged to use cloth face coverings and reserve medical-grade masks for use by health care workers and first responders.
Medical-grade masks include N95, KN95, surgical, or other masks that would be appropriate for a health care setting.
Governor Carney's State of Emergency has the full force and effect of law.