Delaware’s seven Republican senators have asked the state’s top doctor not to reinstitute a statewide indoor mask mandate. The letter came after the City of Philadelphia last week announced its mandate would be coming back due to a rise in cases there. Restaurants, museums, businesses, offices, government buildings and arenas in Philadelphia began requiring masks Monday morning. Dr. Karryl Rattay, …
State launches one-stop shop for COVID testing, treatment
The Delaware Division of Public Health on Thursday announced the launch of the COVID-19 test-to-treat program. The program is aimed at providing convenient testing and treatment options in one location. Test-to-treat locations are designed to be a “one-stop shop” for individuals seeking diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 within five days of showing symptoms. How the program works: If you have …
DPH will text you if you test positive for COVID-19
The Delaware Division of Public Health now plans to text you if you have COVID-19. The DPH Contact Tracing Team has launched a pre-call text messaging initiative to individuals who test positive for COVID-19. It involves sending a text message to COVID-positive individuals and providing initial isolation guidance and recommendations through a secure web platform before they receive a call …
Legislative Hall to reopen to the public
The leaders of the Delaware House of Representatives and Senate plan to open Legislative Hall to the public effective immediately, they said during a committee meeting Thursday. Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf and Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Dave Sokola plan to announce the building’s opening later Thursday or Friday. “My intent is open to building up, get …
Judge denies motion to stop school mask mandate after case becomes moot
A Chancery Court judge denied a Hockessin mom’s motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the governor’s statewide school mask mandate after the governor announced the mandate would be lifted Tuesday. Vice Chancellor Paul Fioravanti late Monday said he could not find sufficient evidence that leaving the mandate in effect until 6 p.m. on Tuesday would cause the plaintiff irreparable …
Carney lifts school mask mandate while trial to end it is underway
LEFT: JANICE LORRAH. RIGHT: GOV. JOHN CARNEY A Hockessin mother suing to stop the state’s school mask mandate got most of what she wanted in the middle of trial Monday when the governor’s attorney informed the court that the mandate would be lifted on March 1 at 6 p.m. Janice Lorrah appeared in the Delaware Court of Chancery at the …
Hockessin mom sues to end Carney’s school mask mandate
JANICE LORRAH A Hockessin mother has filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery challenging Gov. John Carney’s extension of the state’s school mask mandate. The universal indoor mask mandate for the general public expired on Feb. 11 following a sharp decrease in cases since the height of the COVID-19 omicron variant surge. Although that mandate was lifted, Carney …
DEMA gets $85.6 million from FEMA for COVID testing, reporting
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday that $85.6 million in federal funds have been made available for reimbursement of COVID-19 testing and reporting costs. The funds, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will reimburse the state agency for emergency protective measure costs incurred between Oct. 12, 2020 and Sept. 12, 2021. According to DEMA, approximately $3.08 million of …
Delaware mask mandate to expire Friday, Feb. 11
Gov. Carney’s universal indoor mask mandate will expire Friday, Feb. 11/Getty Images Delaware’s universal indoor mask mandate will expire at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11. Gov. John Carney on Monday revised the State of Emergency order citing the sharp decrease in cases since the height of the omicron variant surge. While masks will no longer be required inside many …
Renter, landlord advocates disagree over solutions to eviction crisis
Lawmakers and advocates say a new Delaware Supreme Court rule that allows tenants to be represented by non-lawyer advocates in eviction proceedings will create parity with landlords and mitigate some of the most harmful effects of housing insecurity. Opponents, including the Delaware Apartment Association, the non-profit group that represents the interests of multi-family rental unit landlords, say efforts and money …