Governor Carney Updates Order, Eliminates Capacity Restrictions Effective May 21

Today. Governor John Carney signed a new COVID-19 omnibus order, the Twenty-Eighth modification to the original state of emergency order, updating school bus distancing requirements, eliminating most business capacity restrictions effective May 21, and formalizing additional changes announced last week.

Beginning with summer programming, schools should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school buses when transporting students. The CDC advises schools to create distance between children on school buses when possible, and to follow masking and other COVID-19 safety precautions.

Additionally, Governor Carney’s order formalizes the following, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 21:

• All capacity restrictions inside restaurants, retail, gyms, other business establishments and houses of worship will be lifted. Facilities can use as much capacity as social distancing requirements will allow.

• Masks will still be required indoors to prevent spread of COVID-19.

• Outdoors, Delawareans should follow masking guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk for COVID-19 spread increases in large crowds that include unvaccinated people. In those cases, the CDC recommends that everyone continue to wear a mask.

• Social distancing requirements will move from 6 feet to 3 feet.

• Customers must continue to remain seated indoors and outdoors at bars and restaurants unless a plan for dance floors and other areas is approved by DPH.

• Events over 250 people indoors and outdoors will still require plan approval from DPH to ensure compliance with basic precautions to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program, which is now open to all Delawareans 12 or older.