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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

Gov. Carney confident in reopening plans after visit to beaches

Gov. John Carney feels good about moving forward with Delaware’s rolling reopening. 

Carney toured the state’s beach towns Monday and said he liked what he saw in places like Rehoboth Beach,  adding Delaware appeared to fare better than New Jersey and Maryland.

“What I saw today really impressed me with respect to how folks were wearing face coverings on the Boardwalk as required and some as recommended on the beach and how on the beach folks were spread out on the boardwalk and up and down on Rehoboth Avenue the same thing,” Carney said.  “So, it shows that attitudes have changed in a significant way.” 

Carney hopes the trend carries into June and said he’ll use that month to prepare for the Fourth of July. 

“You don’t all of a sudden want to turn the lights on with one flick of the switch, right? You want to gradually push that dimmer switch up,” Carney said.  “And now, we’ve moved through with the short-term rental ban, with the out-of-state quarantine through Memorial Day and the results have been so impressive.”

Carney said an announcement on the ban on short term rentals is expected Tuesday. He seems to be leaning toward lifting that ban since rentals are lighter in June.  He noted the slower rate of rentals in June provides an opportunity to continue a gradual reopening.

Carney conceded the weekend was not a complete success.  He apologized for the traffic tie-ups and inconvenience created by Friday’s checkpoints to dissuade out-of-state travelers from visiting. 

Phase I of Delaware’s Reopening is slated for June 1st.  Most businesses deemed “non-essential” can reopen at thirty percent capacity.