Del. retailers allowed to open by appointment only, other additional steps announced by Gov. Carney

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney has announced additional steps that will allow retail establishments and expand operations while maintaining social distancing.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, all retail establishments may operate by appointment only. In addition, restaurants, bars, taprooms, and craft breweries may also apply to expand outdoor seating capacity to safely serve additional customers when businesses reopen next month. Applications to do so will be available this Friday, May 22nd, and expansions would be allowed to begin on June 1st.

Retailers and restaurants in the state are scheduled to open their indoor spaces at 30 percent of stated fire capacity during Phase 1 of reopening, beginning June 1st. The steps announced today will give retailers and restaurants new ways to safely expand operations by appointment and outdoors.

Retail establishments, including but not limited to clothing and shoe stores, used merchandise retailers and florists, may accept two appointments per half hour and must adhere to strict social distancing and cleaning guidelines from the Division of Public Health and CDC.

Under this order, all Delaware food and drink establishments may apply to their local municipal or county jurisdiction to expand their outdoor seating capacity. Plans for adding outdoor seating will have to consider local traffic patterns and noise ordinances. Applicants holding a liquor license must also have their plans reviewed by the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control prior to receiving approval.