WILMINGTON, Del.- Children entering kindergarten and older must now wear face masks in public, according to Gov. John Carney and the Division of Public Health's updated guidance.
Previously, children 12 and older were required and those five to 12 were just recommended. DPH's updated guidance released Monday also requires that all children wear masks in school buildings.
“The evidence could not be more clear that wearing face coverings is the best thing we can all do to keep our communities healthy,” said Governor Carney. “I know masks can be uncomfortable at times for children and adults. But if we stay vigilant and work together, we’ll continue to make real progress against this virus.”
The state of Delaware will not enforce mask use among children, but encourages parents to refer to materials from DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on wearing face coverings.
“Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics are emphasizing now more than before that face coverings can be safely and easily worn by the vast majority of children,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. “Newer studies convey that all age groups are susceptible to infection. The good news is the most infections in the younger age group of 5 – 10 appear to be mild. And although spread from this age group to others appears low, it still may occur. Therefore, use of face coverings in this age group is an important measure that can help prevent that spread.”
Children under two are required to not wear face coverings due to suffocation risk. According to a press release from the Governor's office, any child with a disability that makes a mask impossible or medical condition that makes it hard to breathe are not required to wear them.
