WILMINGTON, De. - Delaware Governor John Carney has declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The declaration will allow the state to use resources to assist with handling the virus beginning Friday morning.
The emergency declaration will also require Delaware's National Guard to take precautionary and responsive actions and advises event organizers to cancel non-essential public gatherings of 100 people or more. The state will also be able to conduct public meetings electronically to prevent public gatherings and stops price gouging on goods and services during the outbreak.
A press release says Carney's emergency declaration will not require schools or businesses to close down or implement any driving restrictions in Delaware. The declaration also does not close state office buildings.
“We are taking this situation extremely seriously,” said Carney. “We have been expecting positive cases in Delaware, and for the last two months we have prepared our state’s response in close coordination with the experts at the Delaware Division of Public Health and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. Today’s emergency declaration will make sure we have the authority and resources necessary to effectively prevent the spread of this virus.
Governor Carney and the Delaware Department of Human Resources issued guidance to state employees about Coronavirus and potential impacts on the state workforce. Full-time and casual/seasonal state employees may be eligible for 14 or 30 days of Paid Emergency Leave if they are forced to miss work due to a Coronavirus impact, or to care for a family member.
Costs related to diagnostic testing for Coronavirus will be waived for Delaware families who are covered by the state’s health plan.
Delawareans with questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or TTY at 1-800-232-5460 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov.