Hello friends and neighbors,
Phase 1 of Delaware’s economic reopening officially began today, along with the lifting of several State of Emergency restrictions on the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, the ban on short-term rental units and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers.
I am working with many business owners in our district to be sure they have all the equipment they need to protect the health of customers and staff as they begin to reopen.
At the same time, our state – and our nation – is reeling from the pain of horrifyingly racist brutality that has sown fear and anger throughout our communities. Ultimately, my colleagues and I know that the change these protestors rightfully demand will require our active participation. As we prepare for the final month of a very unusual session, we continue to listen.
In the meantime, Delaware is in need of considerable physical, emotional and economic repair. The road ahead will be difficult but we will rise to the challenge – together.
In my latest newsletter, you will find updates on:
- What Phase 1 entails
- How businesses are working to protect the health of customers
- Additional financial assistance for the economically disadvantaged
- The Delaware General Assembly’s ongoing session
- And more
Visit our resource portal for links to information about testing sites, mobile food pantries, stay-at-home resources for children, unemployment assistance, public services and more.
As always, feel free to reach out to my office with any additional questions.
Thank you,
Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12
Number of cases in Delaware
Delaware documented 40 coronavirus-related deaths last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 366.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in Delaware rose to 9,498 over the weekend, a 6-percent increase from this time last week. Sussex County remains a hot spot with 4,253 cases, up 3.3 percent from last week. The number of cases in New Castle County rose 9.4 percent to 3,758 and Kent County jumped 6 percent to 1,436.
Hospitalizations fell to 160 while the number of people in critical condition fell to 30. Nearly 5,266 Delawareans also have recovered from COVID-19, meaning seven days have passed since the resolution of their symptoms.
Visit the Delaware Division of Public Health coronavirus tracker for detailed information about the spread of the virus, including a breakdown of cases by age, sex, race/ethnicity and outcomes.
Up-to-date Coronavirus Information
Phase 1 of Delaware’s Recovery Underway
As I mentioned earlier, Delaware’s long-awaited move to Phase 1 of its rolling reopening plan began at 8 a.m. today. That means:
- Restaurants, breweries and bars may open their doors to dine-in service, but are limited to 30 percent of capacity. Diners also are required to make a reservation.
- Malls and retail establishments may reopen but are limited to 30-percent capacity.
- Barber shops and hair salons may reopen but are limited to 30-percent capacity.
- Gyms and other exercise facilities may reopen but are limited to 30-percent capacity. Classes are allowed with social distancing and equipment cleaning.
- Short-term rentals may resume and the mandatory quarantine for out-of-state travelers has been lifted.
- Applications for outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people are being accepted at covid19faq@delaware.gov.
- Casinos and racetracks may reopen, although spectators will not be permitted to attend races.
- Non-contact youth sports may resume.
For many businesses, a successful restart will require more than just opening the doors. Customers also will need to be assured their health, along with the safety of employees and the community at-large, is being taken seriously.
Businesses will need to require face coverings be worn by patrons and staff. Frequent cleanings of all surfaces and regular hand washing will be necessary. And responsible social distancing must be enforced at all times.
To help our business community adjust to those requirements, the Delaware Division of Public Health – DPH and the Delaware Division of Small Business have created a one-stop shop for all the tools needed to meet state safety guidelines for specific industries, including help acquiring PPE and testing kits.
Delaware website for all COVID-19 business resources
Free PPE Kits Available for Small Businesses
Undertaking new safety measures to protect consumers and employees during our Phase 1 reopening presents new challenges for our business community, especially the small shops that make up the backbone of our economy.
To help them get restarted as quickly and safely as possible, I will be distributing 40 free kits to small businesses in our area, each containing hand sanitizer, surface cleaner and face masks. Free kits are also being distributed by Main Street organizations, various chambers of commerce and several state agencies.
This limited supply of free kits are available on a first come, first served basis, so please email me immediately if you are interested.
Businesses in need of masks, gloves and other supplies also can find vendors by using Delaware’s new Business-to-Business tool kit.
Vendors with available supplies can be added to this list here.
Campground Rentals Now Available
Campgrounds in Delaware State Parks reopened Monday as part of Governor John Carney’s order to lift the emergency ban on short-term rentals and the 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers, starting on June 1.
Camping is now available at the following state parks:
- Cape Henlopen: Tents, RVs, cabins
- Delaware Seashore: Tents, RVs
- Indian River Marina: Cottages
- Killens Pond: Tents, RVs, cabins
- Lums Pond: Tents, RVs, yurts
- Trap Pond: Tents, RVs, yurts, cabins
All cabins and cottages will be sanitized by a professional cleaning service between rentals to allow park staff to focus on cleaning common areas. Some amenities will remain closed due to COVID-19, including nature centers and playgrounds.
Campers also will be required to heed safety protocols, including carrying a face mask that must be worn in restrooms and other enclosed spaces where proper social distancing cannot be maintained between members of different households.
The Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation has issued refunds to anyone who reserved campsites, cabins, cottages and yurts from March 24 through May 31. That liberal cancellation policy will remain in effect through June 15 for anyone who still wants a full refund.
Read DNREC Announcement on Campgrounds
Guidance Issued for Summer Camps, Summer School
Governor John Carney on Friday issued guidance for summer camps and summer schools to eventually reopen as part of Phase 2 in Delaware’s rolling recovery plan.
Summer camps must prepare written plans for how they will enforce social distancing, frequent hand washing and other basic public health precautions. Both camps and summer schools also are encouraged to limit groups to 15 children, plus staff.
If feasible, the Delaware Division of Public Health also recommends camps and summer schools conduct daily health checks of staff and students.
Click here to read the full guidance for summer camps.
Click here to read the full guidance for summer schools.
Read full announcement on summer activities
Housing Protections Remain in Place
The start of our Phase 1 reopening marks a major turning point in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. But June 1 is also the start of another month in which thousands of Delawareans will struggle to pay their rent or cover their mortgage.
While it’s important to pay your monthly housing bills whenever possible, Delaware’s State of Emergency prevents landlords from evicting Delawareans from their homes during this crisis. Landlords also may not charge late fees or interest during the State of Emergency and utility service companies may not terminate service or charge late fees.
The federal CARES Act also includes authority for financial institutions to provide you with temporary mortgage suspension on federally-owned or federally-backed mortgage loans, although you will still be required to make up the suspended payments at a later date.
Click here for more information on assistance for homeowners.
Tenants who are being threatened with eviction by their landlords during the pandemic should contact the Delaware Legal Help Link or the Delaware Community Legal Aid Society Inc. (CLASI) for assistance.
Fannie Mae Renters Resource Finder
Additional Emergency Benefits Provided to SNAP Recipients
Delawareans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program got some extra help with putting food on the table last week.
All families participating in SNAP received the maximum monthly benefit as part of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. For the average SNAP household in Delaware, the increased benefit will translate to about $120 in additional food assistance.
The added emergency benefits for May automatically loaded to recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer card on Friday.
SNAP households will receive their regular May and June benefits on the usual issuance dates.
Apply for SNAP Benefits Online
Help Discussing COVID-19 with Your Children
Talking to your children about COVID-19 in an age-appropriate way can be challenging. New information about this illness and how it impacts children seems to be coming out every day.
That’s why Nemours has created a helpful resource for parents and families on topics related to COVID-19.
This helpful site includes articles and videos about how to talk to children about the virus, tips for calming anxiety, information on how to protect your family and much more.
Understanding Coronavirus for Kids
Free COVID Testing Sites Available Statewide
Our ability to continue Delaware’s gradual reopening will depend on our ability to quickly diagnose the virus and control its spread until a vaccine and proven treatments become widely available.
Achieving that goal means undertaking a massive community testing effort along with contact mapping that will help determine who has been exposed.
As part of Governor John Carney’s plan to administer 80,000 tests a week, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services has created a helpful website where you can find the closest community-based and appointment-based testing services in our area.
DHSS is also looking to hire about 200 Delawareans to contact those who test positive and anyone who might have had close contact with them.
Click here to apply for a job with this vital contact tracing unit.
Testing Locations Throughout Delaware
Delaware General Assembly Reconvenes
The state legislature is back in business after reconvening the second half of the 150th General Assembly Session in a virtual platform last week – an historic first in Delaware history.
Both the Senate and the House held separate meetings in which we passed a concurrent resolution to clear the way for us to hold virtual meetings in times of emergency. The Senate also confirmed the appointments of Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. as secretary of the Delaware Department of Homeland Security, two Delaware Superior Court judges and five new Justices of the Peace.
Both meetings were broadcast live on YouTube – also a first for the General Assembly.
Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, the Joint Finance Committee will begin drafting a final budget plan for Fiscal Year 2021. You can follow those proceedings by listening to the audio directly on the Legislature’s website.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted as we announced additional session days in the coming weeks.
A Difficult Week in Delaware
Although these newsletters are intended to keep you informed about Delaware’s response to the Coronavirus, I believe it is important we address the civil unrest playing out across our state and our nation.
Even with much of our economy shut down and the majority of Americans stuck at home, the racism that has plagued our country since its founding has not taken a rest.
Whether it’s an individual calling authorities to falsely accuse someone of harassment or the sickening, racist brutality that has made trust in our democratic institutions so difficult for so many, we know we must do better.
We must commit ourselves to better understanding the suffering of our neighbors. And we must demand greater accountability from a system that has always promised justice for all but has not always delivered.
I promise you that my colleagues and I see your frustration, your anger and pain. We kicked off the 150th General Assembly with a flurry of bills to reform our criminal justice system and we will continue to push, pull, and bend this system to fit the needs of its people – all of its people – until the basic expectations of safety, opportunity, and fair treatment for all are fulfilled.
As written in the oath I took upon entering office, the powers of this office flow from the people I am privileged to represent. Please help me continue to represent you, your family, and your community by emailing me with your ideas, thoughts and suggestions for addressing these issues right here in our own community.