Post Date: 03/23/2020 6:30 PM

Mayor Mike Purzycki is sharing important announcements from Governor Carney regarding his declaration of a public health emergency in Delaware as well as a delay in the reopening of all schools throughout the state until May 15 due to the coronavirus crisis. The following news releases were issued by the Governor’s Office a short while ago.

Monday, March 23, 2020

Delaware Governor John Carney

Governor Carney Declares Public Health Emergency (PHE)

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday declared a Public Health Emergency and released a more robust Order to assist with Delaware’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) issued a companion order focused on strengthening Delaware’s health care workforce in response to COVID-19.



Read Governor Carney’s Public Health Emergency Declaration.



Read the companion order from DEMA and DPH.



Both orders went into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020.



“We’re acting with urgency to prevent a spike in coronavirus cases that could overwhelm our hospital system,” said Governor Carney. “These new orders will help make sure Delaware has the supplies and the health care professionals necessary to respond to COVID-19. I want to thank all of Delaware’s health care workers who are on the front lines of our response. We owe you all a debt of gratitude.



“We need everyone’s help. Delawareans should follow basic hygiene practices and stay home unless it’s essential to go out for work, or for the health and well-being of your family. We’ll get through this, but we all need to pitch in and take this threat seriously.”



Under the order from DEMA and DPH:

Nurses, doctors, mental health care providers, pharmacists and other health care professionals who have active licenses or certificates of good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction are authorized to provide in-person health care services in Delaware throughout the emergency, as well as telemedicine services.

Delaware health care professionals whose licenses expired in the last five years are authorized to provide health care services in Delaware, assuming their licenses were in good standing for the five-year period.

Delawareans with general 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 individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 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, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

Delaware Governor John Carney

Governor Carney Closes Delaware Schools Through May 15

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday ordered all Delaware schools to remain closed through at least Friday, May 15 to fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Read a letter that Governor Carney sent Monday night to families, educators, and school leaders.

“On March 13, after significant discussion with superintendents and charter school leaders, I ordered public schools to close through this Friday, March 27,” said Governor Carney. “This two-week period was intended to help school leaders and educators plan for what came next.



“We have spent a significant portion of the last week discussing plans for remote instruction, the delivery of meals, and other social services. This is an unusual time – but children still deserve access to a quality education, and families rely on the social services we deliver in our schools every day. We’ll continue to work directly with school leaders on these important issues.”

Governor Carney also announced the following:

The State of Delaware intends to formally recommend that no school district or charter school extend its school calendar beyond the end of June. Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, will formally make that recommendation to the State Board of Education, upon submission by each district and charter.

The State of Delaware has submitted a waiver to the U.S. Department of Education requesting Delaware be exempt from state testing this year to focus our efforts on student instruction.

Click here for a list of school meal sites.

Click here for the Delaware Department of Education’s list of remote learning activities and other resources.

Delawareans with general 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 individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 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, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES :



Jonathan Starkey

Deputy Chief of Staff forCommunications

Office of the Governor

Mobile: (302) 256-8364

Email:jonathan.starkey@delaware.gov