DOVER, Del.- Gov. John Carney's office on Thursday said the state will lift restrictions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic on Delaware beaches and community pools next week, just in time for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday that typically marks the start to the busy summer season for many of the state's coastal towns.
Carney's office said the lifting of restrictions will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, May 22. Strict social distancing and hygiene requirements will accompany the reopening of the beaches. Beachgoers must maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and anyone outside their household. Face coverings must be worn on the boardwalk and are encouraged on the beach. Restaurants and bars are still limited to delivery and take-out services only.
Under Thursday’s announcement, community pools in Delaware may also reopen at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22, but are limited to 20 percent of regular capacity. Swim lessons or practices of swim teams are not permitted.
Ice cream stores and trucks may reopen for take-out or curbside pick-up with strict social distancing measures at 5 p.m. this Friday, May 15. Children under 12-years-old must be accompanied by an adult.
“Summer at the beach and the pool is a huge part of life for so many Delawareans. As we ease our way into a new normal, we’re trying to find ways for Delawareans to enjoy the outdoors and the company of their families,” said Carney. “I want to be very clear to our friends who want to travel here from outside the state. While we hope one day soon to be able to welcome you to our beaches, that time has not yet come. We need to reopen Delaware in a controlled way that doesn’t put anyone at risk.”
Carney's office said the move is being planned with consultation with public health experts at the Delaware Division of Public Health and mayors of Delaware’s beach towns. Delaware currently is under a state of emergency in connection to the pandemic.
Beaches at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island state parks may limit capacity to vehicles to enforce social distancing. Carney also announced Thursday that current surf fishing restrictions on the number of individuals allowed per vehicle will be lifted on May 22 at 5 p.m. However, all individuals in the vehicle must be from the same household.
Surf fishing access may also be limited to enforce social distancing and avoid overcrowding.
Delaware’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers and ban on short-term rentals will remain in effect, meaning that non-Delawareans who have been in the state for at least 14 days will be permitted to use the beaches.
To enforce the out-of-state quarantine as Delaware beaches reopen, Delaware State Police will station troopers at routes typically used by out-of-state travelers. Travelers will be stopped, asked a series of questions, and given information about the 14-day quarantine requirement under Carney’s state of emergency declaration. Violations of the emergency declaration, or any of its modifications, constitute a criminal offense.
Local officials also are encouraged to limit capacity on their beaches to prevent overcrowding and potential spread of COVID-19.
Carney ordered Delaware's beaches closed shortly after the pandemic reached the First State and large crowds were observed flocking to places like Cape Henlopen State Park during warm weather in March. The move follows an announcement from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy that his state's beaches and lakefronts would also open in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
Since the pandemic reached Delaware in March, Carney has closed or placed restrictions on businesses and other institutions as part of the state's effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state.
However, in recent weeks Carney has begun rolling back some of the restrictions and allowed many businesses deemed non-essential during the pandemic to reopen on a limited or appointment-only basis.
As of Thursday, the Delaware Division of Public Health was reporting 7,223 positive COVID-19 cases statewide, 260 virus-related deaths, 273 current hospitalizations and 3,080 recovered. There were 2,560 COVID-19 positive cases in New Castle County, 1,115 in Kent County and 3,503 in Sussex County. To date, 29,634 people have tested negative for the virus.