Waitlist will open to all Delawareans aged 16 and older; Delawareans 16+ eligible for vaccine at pharmacies, mass vaccination events, and community sites  

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday that on April 6, all Delawareans aged 16 or older will become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies, community vaccination sites, and mass vaccination events hosted by the State of Delaware. 

• Beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, Delawareans who are 16+ may register on the State of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination waiting list at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov. Invitations to state vaccination events will be contingent on supply and prioritized based on age and other risk factors, including pre-existing medical conditions. 
• Pharmacies may also begin vaccinating Delawareans who are 16+ on Tuesday, April 6. 
• Medical providers – including primary care doctors, specialty providers, and hospital systems – will continue to vaccinate only Delawareans aged 16-64 with moderate- and high-risk medical conditions and disabilities. Click here to view a list of updated medical conditions. 

Tuesday’s announcement makes all adults in Delaware eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine weeks ahead of President Biden’s target date of May 1. Access to appointments will be contingent on supply of the COVID-19 vaccines. 

As of Monday, March 29, Delaware providers had administered 439,391 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 30 percent of Delaware’s population has received at least one shot. 

“Today’s announcement means that more Delawareans who want to be vaccinated will have the chance to find a shot,” said Governor Carney. “All three of these vaccines are extremely safe, and extremely effective against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. I’d urge all Delawareans to take the first shot you’re offered. That’s how we’ll beat this virus, and get back to spending more time with friends and family.”

Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program. 

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  

Visit de.gov/coronavirus to get the latest on Delaware’s response to COVID-19. 

Visit de.gov/gettested to learn more about free COVID-19 testing. 

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WILMINGTON – To begin Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Delaware Children’s Department, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, and other stakeholders are raising awareness of how to nurture resilient families and prevent, recognize, and report child abuse and neglect. 

April is traditionally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This year’s awareness campaign, “Growing a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together,” brings together communities and resources to protect and support strong, safe, and resilient families. 

“Growing a better tomorrow for our children takes action, today. In order to prevent child abuse and neglect, we must recognize past trauma, support caregivers, and come together as a community to provide the resources necessary for families to thrive. Each one of us has the ability to change the future – one child at a time,” said Josette Manning, Secretary of the Delaware Children’s Department also known as the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.  

Families continue to face stressors brought on or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we know they will have to grapple with the collateral consequences of the coronavirus – loss of employment, housing, food security and so much more – as our state recovers. In these times of extreme stress and uncertainty, we cannot ignore the risk of children experiencing abuse and neglect. That’s why experts say it is important to foster support for families and encourage stress-reducing behaviors.  

“During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are reminded of how we all play a role in creating positive childhood experiences so children can thrive. Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone,” said Karen DeRasmo, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Delaware. “In reality we all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children, who grow up to become successful, contributing adults.” 

Prevention professionals are still working to understand the pandemic’s repercussions for incidents of child abuse and neglect, but we do know calls to the hotline are lower than normal. For example, in 2020 from the beginning of the school closures across Delaware until the end of the traditional school year in June, the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline experienced a 30 to 40% reduction in call volume. This awareness month acts as a call-to-action to help a family in need.   

Here is how to raise awareness and educate during Child Abuse Prevention Month: 

• Nurture protective factors for parents and caregivers. Research shows that protective factors support children and families having positive outcomes and a decreased risk for neglect and abuse. Protective factors include: 
  • Nurturing and attachment 
  • Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development 
  • Parental resilience 
  • Social connections 
  • Concrete supports for parents 
  • Social and emotional developmental well-being 

• Share resources that build resiliency. Connecting families to resources that meet their basic needs like employment, housing, and food, can help alleviate stressors.  
• Educate yourself on the signs of child abuse or neglect. In virtual settings especially, ask questions and notice a child’s surroundings.  
• Learn how to report alleged child abuse or neglect. Call 1-800-292-9582 to make a report of child abuse or neglect. Use the online portal iseethesigns.org to submit reports via any mobile device or desktop computer. These services are available 24/7, and reporters can choose to remain anonymous.  
• Wear blue on April 1! Wear Blue Day shows support for children and families. Post a photo or video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2021 hashtag. 

Together, we can make a difference in the life of a child. 

Additional Resources for Families 

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting – call 1-800-292-9582 or go to iseethesigns.org 

Child Priority Response Hotline (mental health crisis help): 1-800-969-4357 

Crisis Text Line for Youth: Text DE to 741-741 

Prevent Child Abuse Delaware 

Beau Biden Foundation 

Nemours Kids Health 

Office of the Child Advocate 

Children and Families First 

Governor John Carney will hold a virtual press briefing at 1:45 p.m. about Delaware’s response to COVID-19.

Special Off-Peak Permit Pilot Program to Cast Off in Late May

In response to the eighth modification to the COVID-19 emergency order, issued by Gov. John Carney on March 29, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will issue up to 1,000 additional one-year Surf-Fishing Permits for 2021.

Those who wish to purchase one of the additional 1,000 regular Surf-Fishing Permits must first acquire a special voucher on a date to be determined. Vouchers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with details to be announced by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation in the near future.

Each voucher will allow for the purchase of one 2021 Surf-Fishing Permit.

These special Surf-Fishing Permit vouchers are limited to one per person. Other information about the vouchers that can be announced by DNREC at this time is as follows:

• The person obtaining the voucher does not have to be the permit holder. If the interested permit holder is not available on the day of the voucher distribution, the voucher may be obtained by a designee with proper information for the permit.
• The vehicle license plate number and vehicle registration name for which the permit will be purchased is required to obtain a voucher. Vouchers are nontransferable.
• The permits will be valid until Dec. 31, 2021, and available to residents and non-residents.
• At the close of business on the date of voucher distribution, no additional permits will be issued, even if all vouchers are not claimed.
• There will be no online sales.

Firefighters and EMTs must present a signed application form from their fire company when redeeming a voucher to obtain a 2021 Surf-Fishing Permit.

The Surf-Fishing Permit fee for Delaware residents is $90, while the permit fee for out-of-state residents is $180. Delaware residents 62 and older will receive a discounted rate of $80.

 Off-Peak Surf-Fishing Permit Pilot

In addition to the limited voucher-issued Surf-Fishing Permits, DNREC will launch an Off-Peak Surf-Fishing Permit pilot program starting in late May. The off-peak permits will allow anglers to drive-on surf fish during times when Delaware State Park beaches are not at capacity. Unprecedented sales and the need to allow more anglers and beach users to safely social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the decision to introduce the pilot program.

The Off-Peak Surf-Fishing Permits may be used Mondays through Fridays only, starting June 1 through Sept. 3. Memorial Day and Labor Day are excluded. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Dec. 31, the off-peak permit may be used seven days a week.

The off-peak permit fee for Delaware residents is $70, while the fee for out-of-state residents is $140. Delaware residents age 62 and older will receive a discounted rate of $60. Off-peak permits may be purchased online and in state park offices.

For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions, go to www.destateparks.com or call 302-739-9200.

 About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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Outdoor gatherings limited to 150 people, or higher with a DPH-approved plan

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed the eighth revision to the COVID-19 emergency order, increasing outdoor gathering limits and easing capacity restrictions in outdoor venues effective at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 1. 

The eighth revision includes the following: 

• Outdoor gatherings in spaces with no fire occupancy restrictions are limited to 150 people, or higher with a plan approved by the Division of Public Health (DPH). This includes, but is not limited to, outdoor weddings, funerals, concerts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, sporting events and fairs. Gathering restrictions apply in outdoor spaces that do not have a stated fire capacity. 
• Outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with more than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 50 percent of stated fire capacity. Any outdoor venue hosting more than 150 people must still have a plan approved by DPH to mitigate spread of COVID-19.
• Outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with less than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 75 percent of stated fire capacity. Any outdoor venue hosting more than 150 people must still have a plan approved by DPH to mitigate spread of COVID-19.
• Governor Carney’s revision on Monday also removes the two-spectator limit for sporting events. And the revision allows the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to issue an additional 1,000 surf fishing vehicle tags for the 2021 season. 
• Indoor gatherings or events at any business or indoor space open to the public remain limited to the lesser of fifty percent of stated fire occupancy or twenty-five people.
• Food and drink establishments remain at fifty percent of stated fire occupancy requirements, excluding employees.

Plans for outdoor events and gatherings should be submitted to DPH by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov at least seven days prior to the event.

Click here to read Governor Carney’s eighth revision. 

Click here to read the Omnibus COVID-19 Emergency Order. 

“We know that gathering outdoors poses a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why we’re comfortable easing certain outdoor restrictions as we head into Spring. But until we can get enough Delawareans fully vaccinated, keep following the basic, common-sense public health precautions. Wear a mask when you’re around others. Avoid large gatherings when possible. Get the COVID-19 vaccine when your number is called. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay vigilant.”

Hosts of outdoor gatherings and events must provide materials and equipment necessary for proper hand hygiene and require attendees to follow masking and social distancing requirements – including having a mechanism for limiting attendance. 

As of Sunday, March 28, Delaware providers had administered 433,516 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program. 

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  

Visit de.gov/coronavirus to get the latest on Delaware’s response to COVID-19.  

Visit de.gov/gettested to learn more about free COVID-19 testing. 

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