Tenth update to emergency order also closes additional businesses to fight COVID-19
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday issued the tenth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, banning all short-term rental units – including vacation home rentals, hotels, motels, and condo rentals – to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
Commercial lodging in Delaware will remain closed through May 15, or until the public health threat is eliminated. The order exempts certain Delawareans and essential workers who may need access to short-term rental units. That list of exemptions includes caretakers with family members nearby, health care providers, journalists, and Delawareans with public housing vouchers.
Victims of domestic violence who need alternative shelter also are exempted.
Monday’s order places additional restrictions on businesses, banning door-to-door solicitation and closing pawn shops, video game stores, and other electronics retailers.
Click here to read the full text of Governor Carney’s tenth modification.
Governor Carney’s updated order takes effect at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
“All of Delaware’s restrictions are intended to prevent a surge in cases, preserve our hospital capacity, and save lives,” said Governor Carney. “This is not the time for a vacation or tax-free shopping in Delaware. Delawareans also should not go out in public unnecessarily. Stay safe. Stay home. Protect your neighbors. We’ll get through this – but it’s going to take all of us.”
Governor Carney’s emergency order, including its modifications, have the force and effect of law. Failure to comply constitutes a criminal offense. State and local law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce the provisions of the State of Emergency.
Delaware employers with questions about how they may be impacted can email covid19FAQ@delaware.gov, or call (302) 577-8477 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Emails are encouraged due to potentially high call volume.
Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 211, or 711 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit de.gov/coronavirus.
The next House Small Business Caucus’ ZOOM task force meeting to discuss ways to help small businesses and nonprofits in the wake of COVID-19 will be TOMORROW (April 7th) at 1:15 p.m.
Because there were so many questions regarding unemployment during the ZOOM call this week, Delaware Labor Secretary Cerron Cade will be joining participants on Tuesday’s call.
The Delaware State Police (DSP) have begun stopping out-of-state drivers to emphasize Governor John Carney’s order for such visitors to quarantine themselves for two weeks.
On Sunday, the governor’s seventh modification to his State of Emergency declaration ordered all out-of-state travelers coming into Delaware to immediately isolate themselves for 14-days to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The order carries the weight of law, but there were many reports that it was being ignored.
Earlier today (4/3), state troopers took dramatic action by conducting a checkpoint in northern New Castle County at Naamans Road and Society Drive. About 500 vehicles were detained during the two-and-a-half-hour operation.
“The troopers stressed that the primary purpose of the stop was to inform and to educate,” said DSP Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin, in a prepared statement. “Although violating the order does constitute a criminal offense, there were no citations issued or arrests made.”
Today’s midday action followed directed patrols on roadways in the Claymont area last night, which had been identified as having a large volume of out-of-state travelers. Under the modified State of Emergency declaration, all Delaware law enforcement officers are empowered to stop any vehicle displaying out-of-state tags. This authorization does not apply to vehicles traveling on I-95, I-295, or I-495.
“During the stop, the officer may ask limited questions related to the driver’s recent travel,” Master Corporal Austin said. “The driver then must be informed of the governor’s declaration and explicitly advised that if they are coming into Delaware from out-of-state, they are required by law, to self-quarantine for 14 days while in Delaware, or immediately return to their home state.”
Exceptions to the self-quarantine order for travelers, include:
Motorists passing through Delaware while traveling to other states.
Those traveling from their home state to work for a an essential business in Delaware.
Those caring for a family member in Delaware.
People coming into the state for health care reasons (e.g. visiting a pharmacy, going to a veterinarian, meeting with a physician).
According to Master Corporal Austin, directed patrols throughout the state will continue to encourage voluntary compliance.
Jim Provo from the SBA holds calls everyday at 10:30AM and 8PM to answer questions regarding SBA Programs and your business. Log on to his calls every weekday by downloading the ZOOM app and entering code 679 477 2946 a few minutes before the call.
Click here for an updated Loan Program Comparison Chart
There are many ways that the travel industry can tap into federal assistance through the CARES Act. Here is the U.S. Travel Association’s guide to CARES Act eligibility.
At 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2020, Governor John Carney’s seventh modification to the Delaware State of Emergency went into effect. This modification requires all out-of-state travelers to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware. The travel restrictions that went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30 apply to those entering Delaware for a longer term visit.
The restrictions do not apply to the following:
– Out-of-state workers who commute into Delaware to work at a business deemed essential, although those workers are to work from home when possible and permitted by an employer.
– Delawareans commuting to an out-of-state employer.
– People who come into Delaware to shop, subject to other restrictions on essential and non-essential activities.
– Travelers who are passing through Delaware on their way elsewhere.
– Delawareans returning from out-of-state after being out-of-state to care for members of their family.
Read more here.
Financial assistance is already being provided to small businesses through Delaware’s Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP). Please remember to submit complete applications to business_finance@delaware.gov to receive assistance through HELP. Here are some helpful FAQs that will assist in completing the application.
As the situation continues to evolve, please keep the Delaware Tourism Office informed of any changes or cancellations using this online form so we can monitor the situation and its impact on our industry.
If you have ideas for deals or partnerships, we can assist in connecting you with fellow business owners! Please email Visit.Delaware@delaware.gov so we may help!
Governor John Carney on Monday signed the eighth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, which allows child care programs in Delaware to be designated as emergency child care sites in an effort to assist essential personnel during the coronavirus crisis.
-Allows child care programs in Delaware to be designated as emergency child care sites in an effort to assist essential personnel during the coronavirus crisis, and allows DSCYF to create processes surrounding this.
-Mandates that state buildings and essential businesses that Delaware’s Public Health Authority deems high-risk shall screen every employee, visitor and member of the public upon entering. Delaware’s Public Health Authority shall develop and publicly post the screening tool to be used by high-risk essential businesses.
-Orders all hospitals, nursing and residential facilities, and ambulatory health care services in Delaware, as categorized by the Division of Small Business, shall comply with the Public Health Authority’s guidance for the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
-Opens Delaware surf fishing beaches to limited surf fishing activities.
-Extends renters’ protections to those who live in manufactured homes on leased land.
Starting April 6 and continuing until the State of Emergency is lifted, child care may only be provided by child care centers and child care homes that have been designated as “Emergency Child Care Sites” by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF). In order to be an emergency child care site, child care centers and homes must certify that they are only providing child care to children of personnel working for essential businesses, as defined by Governor Carney’s State of Emergency, and cannot work from home.
The order also allows DSCYF to create a process by which families can enroll their children in designated emergency child care if their current child care facility temporarily closes. DSCYF worked with the Delaware Division of Public Health to create strict health and safety guidelines to help child care providers prepare their facilities. Before being designated as an emergency child care site by DSCYF, a provider must demonstrate that they are able to and will adhere to the following requirements developed by the Office of Child Care Licensing and the Division of Public Health.
Child care providers and caregivers should check coronavirus.delaware.gov/child-care/ in the coming days for information on how to apply to be an emergency child care site, what the requirements are in order to comply with the designation and how to certify essential personnel status and temporarily enroll children.
Also under Monday’s order, state buildings and essential businesses that Delaware’s Public Health Authority deems high-risk shall screen every employee, visitor and member of the public upon entering. Delaware’s Public Health Authority shall develop and publicly post the screening tool to be used by high-risk essential businesses. All state buildings and essential businesses shall display signage that cautions individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 not to enter the premises.
Also, all hospitals, nursing and residential facilities, and ambulatory health care services in Delaware, as categorized by the Division of Small Business, shall comply with the Public Health Authority’s guidance for the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
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 711 for people who are hearing impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Delawareans can also email DPHCall@delaware.gov.
In an attempt to continue supporting our local businesses however we can, the Town of Georgetown and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (with inspiration from “We are Milford”) have created the “We are Georgetown” Facebook page.
We are Georgetown is a place for Georgetown, DE & surrounding communities to support each other during the COVID-19 health crisis by highlighting businesses & services operating for our local citizens.
We are promoting businesses that are applying good practices to keep safe social distances and that are committed to following all CDC and State guidelines for best practices while remaining open.
Message us with the details of your Georgetown, Delaware area business or service that is active during this crisis and we will highlight it on our page. Share this page with Georgetown, DE area neighbors to connect all of us while we navigate this together.
Our goal is to provide up to date resources for our community during this critical time to support as many of our neighbors as we can.
Southern Delaware Tourism has updated their Partner Resource Page. Among other updates, they’ve included Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources from the Small Business Administration, information on Hotels for Hope, the National Restaurant Association’s COVID-19 Impact Survey, and the CARES Act Executive Summary for Restaurants.
You will find SDT’s Partner Resource Page at this link.
The Town of Georgetown has relaxed sign requirements and restrictions for businesses offering takeout or delivery.
For the duration of the State of Emergency, they are allowed to add additional signage indicating they are open for business. This includes, but is not limited to, sandwich boards, banners, feather flags, etc.
Once the State of Emergency is lifted, the additional signage will need to be removed.
Anyone with questions should contact the Town Offices at (302) 856-7391.
With the passage of the CARES Act, many small businesses will be eligible for assistance and many of our neighbors who are out of work will be getting a bit of relief. Click the links below to download more information on the recently passed CARES Act.
Georgetown has a long history spanning back to 1791 when the county seat moved there from Lewes, which was criticized for being too far from western Delaware. Originally, Georgetown was laid out in a large square, but that was quickly changed to the circle we all associate with Georgetown with the historic Georgetown Circle at the center.
827 East Market Street
P.O.Box 1
Georgetown, DE 19947
