In compliance with Governor John Carney’s latest modifications to the State Emergency Declaration, anyone 13 or older who is visiting a First State Health & Wellness office will be required to wear a face covering, effective Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Please review the official order below for more details.
Our doctors and staff will continue our diligent practices of wearing face coverings, as well as sanitizing treatment rooms and public areas. Please do your part to protect the safety of our staff, doctors, yourself and others by maintaining social distancing and hand washing frequently.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office you will be visiting. Once again, we thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate these every changing circumstances. We will notify you via email, Facebook and in-office communication of any further changes to our schedule and policies.
Official Order: All Delawareans Age 13 and Older to Wear Face Coverings
Governor John Carney on Saturday issued the thirteenth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, requiring Delawareans to wear face coverings in public settings, including in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and on public transportation. Governor Carney’s order does not require children aged 12 or younger to wear a face covering. Any child 2-years-old or younger MUST NOT wear a face covering, due to the risk of suffocation.
Under Governor Carney’s modified order, businesses must also take certain steps to keep their employees and customers safe and by 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, businesses must:
- Require employees to wear a face covering while working in areas open to the public and in areas where coming within 6 feet of other staff is likely.
- Provide, at the business’ expense, face coverings and hand sanitizer for their employees.
- Deny entry to individuals who do not have a face covering – or if one is not available for them.
- If any business denying entry is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, the business must provide alternate methods of pickup or delivery.
Delawareans are urged to use cloth face coverings and reserve medical-grade masks for use by health care workers and first responders. Medical-grade masks include N95, KN95, surgical, or other masks that would be appropriate for a health care setting. Delawareans wearing a face covering should practice strict hand-washing before and after touching the face covering, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH). Face coverings are not a replacement for washing hands, practicing physical distancing, and staying home. Delawareans who are sick should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth if they must be around other people – even while at home.
“Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for existing guidance around hand-washing and social distancing,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. “Delawareans should stay at home whenever possible, only leaving for essential activities. Wash your hands. Keep 6-10 feet between yourself and others.”