Most Delawareans will no longer be required to wear a mask starting on Friday, Gov. John Carney announced on Monday.
However, students will still be required to wear a mask in public and private schools and child care facilities until March 31.
The school masks requirement is being extended to give parents time to get their children vaccinated, according to a Monday press release from Carney’s office.
Positive COVID-19 cases have been rapidly declining this past month after they peaked at over 4,700 confirmed cases one day in early January. The seven-day average peaked at over 3,300 cases per day this winter.
Carney issued the latest mandate on Jan. 11, requiring residents to wear masks in places like convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls and casinos.
As of Friday, the state reported a seven-day average of about 502 confirmed cases.
Delaware reported 266 COVID-related hospitalizations on Sunday, down from the peak of 759 hospitalizations reported on Jan. 12.
A year ago, confirmed cases rarely peaked above 1,000 per day, and the seven-day average never hit 900, according to data published by the Department of Health and Social Services.
While COVID-19 is still circulating and still posts a “risk of serious illness,” particularly for the unvaccinated, people have the “tools to keep ourselves and each other safe,” Carney said in a statement.
He said people should get vaccinated and get their booster, and urged parents to get their children vaccinated.
“The best way to keep your child in school learning, and to prevent them from getting sick, is to get them vaccinated,” Carney said.
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Contact Sarah Gamard at sgamard@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2281. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGamard.
