Update: Del. School Mask Mandate, State of Emergency End At 6:00 p.m. Tue.

Update: Tuesday morning, Governor John Carney signed an order to lift the COVID-19 State of Emergency effective at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. The State of Emergency was implemented January 3rd .

To read the order that lifts the State of Emergency, please Click here 

Also Tuesday, Carney signed a focused  Public Health Emergency Order that will allow hospitals and long-term care facilities continued flexibility to respond to cases of COVID-19.

Click here to read the updated Public Health Emergency order.

(original story:)

Delaware’s COVID-19 State of Emergency and the masking requirement in public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities will come to an end this Tuesday March 1st at 6:00 p.m.

Governor John Carney plans to sign an order to terminate the State of Emergency in accordance with new masking guidance issued by the CDC Friday.

Vaccine or testing requirements for educators and Delaware state employees will expire at 11:59 p.m. today, Monday February 28th. The mask requirement in most state facilities will be lifted beginning Wednesday, March 2nd.

“There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about where we’re headed,” Carney said Monday morning. “Over the last month, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically, and we are clearly moving into a new phase of this pandemic. Today’s announcement is consistent with new guidance from the CDC. And it’s consistent with the latest thinking from Delaware’s experts at the Division of Public Health. Delawareans who want to continue wearing a mask – including children in our schools – should be supported and encouraged to do so, even as we move into this new phase. We’ll also continue to encourage all eligible Delawareans to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.” 

According to the Governor’s Office, when the State of Emergency is lifted Tuesday a more focused Public Health Emergency Order will be issued that will allow hospitals and long-term care facilities continued flexibility to respond to COVID-19 cases.

For CDC masking guidance, please CLICK HERE

For Delaware Public Health / Department of Education guidelines for schools, please CLICK HERE