“Delawareans who are unvaccinated, including children, should continue to wear masks in public places.,” Said Governor John Carney
WILMINGTON (DE) BY DIGITAL STAFF: Starting tomorrow you will not need a face covering or will you have to social distance if you are fully vaccinated, said Governor John Carney at his Tuesday weekly COVID-19 press briefing.
Carney signed signed his 29th modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration, eliminating social distancing requirements and removing Delaware’s mask mandate effective May 21. Instead, Carney suggested that Delawareans, visitors, and Delaware businesses should follow social distancing and masking guidance for fully vaccinated individuals issued last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Unvaccinated Delawareans should continue to wear masks to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19., Carney said.
Governor Carney’s 29th modification takes effect at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 21. Click here to read the full modification. Last week, Carney extended the State of Emergency declaration another 30 days to confront community spread of COVID-19 and to continue administering vaccines to Delawareans.
The CDC guidance advises that fully vaccinated people can stop distancing and wearing masks in most places indoors and outdoors, except in certain crowded and congregate settings. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in public settings and around those who live outside of their household.
“It’s clear that the COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and protective against infection and serious illness,” said Governor Carney. “Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection against this virus and can feel comfortable getting back to the things they loved to do before this pandemic. For our neighbors who aren’t vaccinated, the message is clear. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection we have against the virus. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and those you love. In the meantime, Delawareans who are unvaccinated, including children, should continue to wear masks in public places.”
Governor Carney’s order continues to require mask-wearing on public transit, planes, in schools, health care facilities and congregate settings like prisons and homeless shelters.
The order also continues to require mask-wearing in State-owned buildings and facilities, including Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facilities, Delaware State Service Centers, and the Carvel State Office Building.
Those who are not fully vaccinated, including children not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, should continue to wear masks when they’re around others outside their immediate household, according to CDC guidance. Any child under 2-years-old must not wear a face covering due to risk of suffocation.
Unvaccinated Delawareans ages 12 and older are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves from infection and serious illness. Find a vaccination site: de.gov/getmyvaccine.
“Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection against this virus and can feel comfortable getting back to the things they loved to do before this pandemic,” said Governor Carney. “For our neighbors who aren’t vaccinated, the message is clear. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection we have against the virus. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and those you love.”
But is the lifting of the mask requirement the right thing to do? There has been mixed feelings on the topic, and many are worried that unvaccinated people will be going maskless in retailers and large gatherings claiming to be fully vaccinated, putting others at risk and causing a spike in the COVID-19 cases which would cause a whole new wave in Delaware.
“This is going to be a nightmare. More than likely, the vaccinated will continue to wear their masks, at least, indoors, because they care about the health of the community. I figure most of the massless will be the unvaccinated., Said Linda Roland.” “I’m vaccinated. I continue to wear a mask, while I’m indoors to protect those who can’t/won’t get the vaccination.”
“If Covid hasn’t affected you directly, count your blessings. For some of us, it took the most important people in our families.,” Said Felicia Evangelist. “No warning, no sign, no health issues, and not old. Just took them. Covid takes who it wants when it wants. Still take Those precautions.
Lelly Edwards said, “So really nothing changes because businesses can make their own decisions! I guarantee 95% of stores will still make us wear them.”
“I am still wearing mask in Grocery store. We are near resort area with a lot on weekend warriors. We have no way of knowing!,” Said Pat Blythe.
As of Monday, May 17, Delaware providers had administered 844,384 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 51 percent of all Delawareans have received at least one shot.
