Del. Mask Mandate In Court Facilities Expires Wed.

The rule that requires Delaware court employees and members of the public to wear a mask in court facilities will be lifted this Wednesday, March 2nd.

The mask mandate was implemented last August following a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections due to the spread of the Delta variant at the time. A mandatory testing program for employees who are not vaccinated for coronavirus will also be lifted, although the courts will continue to ask anyone who is experiencing symptoms to stay away from courts until they feel better or they receive a negative test.

“After conferring with our infectious disease medical expert, Dr. Alfred Bacon, who has served us so well throughout the pandemic, he agrees with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance and thinks it is reasonable at this time to drop the indoor mask requirement and unvaccinated employee testing requirements,” Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Collins Seitz Jr. said.

The action follows new CDC guidance which no longer recommends masking in areas that are rated as low- or medium-risk for COVID-19. Most recently, Kent and Sussex Counties were rated medium-risk and New Castle County was rated low-risk.

“It is important to note that we will continue to monitor the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will not hesitate to change course if needed to protect everyone from serious illness,” Chief Justice Seitz added. “Thank you for your patience as we have navigated together this unprecedented public health crisis.”

Anyone who prefers to wear a mask in a court facility will be able to do so.