Frequently Asked Questions
| General |
| Business |
| Unemployment Benefits |
| Stay at Home Order |
| Out-of-State Self-Quarantine Order |
| Testing and Symptoms |
| Animals |
| Face Masks |
General
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. It is named for the crownlike spikes that protrude from its surface. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
- We are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other local, state, and national partners to share information.
- We have sent information to health care providers around the state with current recommendations for screening and testing for COVID-19, as well as to EMS and home health care providers regarding proper protection procedures.
- We are holding frequent calls with staff and our state and health care provider partners to stay up to date with the latest updates.
- We are sharing messaging with partners and the public as it becomes available.
- This is a rapidly evolving situation, so information and recommendations are likely to change quickly as well. We will continue to learn more in the coming days and share new information as it is available.
- Through the air by coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
- Individuals 60 years of age and older.
- Individuals with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease.
- Individuals who are immunocompromised or have medical needs.
- Individuals with access or functional needs.
- Individuals who are homeless or experience housing instability.
For confirmed COVID-19 infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms (similar to the common cold) to people being severely ill and dying:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- If you experience all three symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath), call your health care provider before you go in-person to the clinic or doctor’s office.
- Your health care professional will work with the Delaware Division of Public Health to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
- Stay home, rest, and avoid others. Most people with mild COVID-19 illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications.
- Fourteen days is the presumed incubation period for this virus, so remaining at home and avoiding groups for this time will ensure that you do not spread the virus in the community if you develop symptoms.
- If you are unsure what you should do, contact the Division of Public Health Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 to discuss your concerns and next steps.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that Americans should brace for the likelihood that the virus will continue to spread in the U.S.
- To help protect those who are most vulnerable, adhere to the CDC recommendations for social distancing (6 to 10 feet away from one another) and cancel or reschedule unnecessary travel, gatherings, and community engagement.
- If you are worried, self-monitor for symptoms. As soon as you experience all three symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath), call your health care provider.
- More information is available at https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vulnerable-populations/.
- Delawareans are under stay-at-home orders, unless they are essential workers. Approved activities include going to the grocery store, pharmacy, going on a walk outside, or other essential activities. We all need to work together to flatten the curve of this virus, so please stay home as much as possible.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water. If you do not have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer until you can wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your face or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Sneeze or cough into your elbow, and if you use a tissue, throw it away immediately.
- If you are sick, stay isolate from others in your household.
- Check the "What You Can Do" section of this website for updates.
- CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase chances of getting COVID-19, if there are other travelers with coronavirus infection. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.
- Check the CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html.
- People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms. There have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
- Check the CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/transmission.html
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should immediately call ahead to their health care provider before visiting a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital in person.
People can fight stigma and help, not hurt, others by providing social support. Counter stigma by learning and sharing facts. Communicating the facts that viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups and how COVID-19 actually spreads can help stop stigma.
You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it or if you are going out in public for an essential activity. Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), the Division of Public Health (DPH) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). This is a recommendation not a requirement. Read more about Guidance for Face Coverings.
A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Delawareans should refrain from organizing or attending social gatherings of any size, except for regular interactions with immediate family members, members of the same household, caregivers, or individuals with whom you have a close personal relationship.
- Event hosts should review the potential risks and cancel all “non-essential mass gatherings” of 50 people or more. CDC event guidance strongly emphasizes that those at highest risk (over age 60 and with chronic health conditions) not attend gatherings. Gatherings, if held, should provide the following: adequate space allowing 6 feet between individuals; adequate air flow; warm water and soap along with hand sanitizer stations; signage that emphasizes that ill individuals not attend; and a process in place to manage an ill individual safely.
- As of March 13, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. E.S.T., Division of Public Health and Delaware Emergency Management Agency are authorized to cancel gatherings should it be deemed necessary for public health reasons, and such cancellations shall not constitute a taking and shall not entitle the owner or organizer to just compensation.
The CDC says early data suggests that people 60 and older are twice as likely to suffer a serious illness from coronavirus disease than younger people. For seniors and people with serious chronic health conditions such as heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer, the CDC recommends that they “avoid crowds as much as possible.” Other suggestions:
- Stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated space.
- Stock up on supplies, including medications, food and other household items.
- When you go out in public, including to doctor appointments or dialysis, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- Have a plan if you get sick, and communicate often with relatives, friends or neighbors.
- For more information, see the CDC’s recommendations.
Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.
- Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
For more complete guidance on COVID-19 and pets, please click here.
Individuals with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must maintain home isolation until at least 3 days have passed since recovery began -- defined as the end of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., the end of their cough and/or shortness of breath); and, at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
After discontinuation of home isolation, persons must continue to avoid sustained close contact with others, maintain strict social distancing and hand hygiene, and not return to work for an additional 4 days (for a total of 7 days without symptoms) due to the possible risk of continued infectiousness. Persons may return to work after this 7-day period, however, they should continue to recognize the risk of infectiousness and self-monitor for symptoms.
Business
- No, it does not, and no such paperwork is needed. A full list of essential industries can be found here. If your business activity is on that list, your business is permitted to remain open as long as it follows all necessary CDC guidelines for safety at this time.
- Staffing questions should be addressed between employers and employees. As long as employers are following applicable guidelines on both leave and on the recent essential designation, then employees should handle any requests directly with employers.
- The easiest way is to use the four-digit NAICS code associated with the business. If you are the owner of the business, you can locate your NAICS code by a) looking at your unemployment insurance forms, b) looking at your most recent tax returns, or c) searching Google for your industry followed by the term “NAICS code”.
- If you are not the owner of your business, please contact your manager or other appropriate employment supervisor and ask them for clarification on the business status.
- Failure to follow CDC guidelines will result in closure on an individual firm basis until the State of Emergency is lifted. Businesses who continue to operate even if they have been deemed non-essential will be given an initial grace if their failure to comply was done after a good faith effort to clarify their status, but those who do not comply and knowingly do so will be subject to civil and in some cases criminal penalties.
- Follow the least restrictive code. If one code is deemed essential while others are not, the business should be considered essential unless further clarification has been given by the state to you directly or through an industry trade group.
- The NAICS code that should be used is the NAICS code that the business had for their most recent unemployment and/or tax filings prior to the issuance of the State of Emergency. A business classified as non-essential who changes or adds a NAICS code in order to fall under the essential category will be subject to the same civil and criminal penalties as a company that knowingly fails to comply with the order.
Unemployment Benefits
Workers should file for benefits on our website at https://ui.delawareworks.com/.
Questions can be emailed to uiclaims@delaware.gov File an appeal, request an address change or complete fact finding documents on our claimant portal at https://ocs.delawareworks.com/.
Work search requirements will be waived during the state of emergency for claimants filing for benefits as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Unemployment benefits are proportionately charged to each employer based on weeks worked and wages earned in
each individual’s base period. Contributory employers could see an increase in their tax rate, which Could result in higher taxes. Reimbursing employers would be charged dollar for dollar for benefits paid, which could result in higher than expected unemployment costs. Employers are able to apply for a rehire credit.
If the president of the United States declares the coronavirus a national disaster, and if individuals experience a
loss of work as a result, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits and/or Disaster Unemployment Assistance. If Delaware launches the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program the public will be notified.
In most cases, yes. However, the agency recognizes the burden placed on the health care industry during this time and will waive this requirement during the state of emergency
Delaware will consider this employee temporarily laid off during the state of emergency. The employee should return
to work as soon as they are released. If work is no longer available after the employee is released for work or the employee fails to return to work the agency will make a new determination.
Delaware would treat this situation as a temporary layoff. The employee should make every reasonable attempt to
preserve their health so they are able to return to work once
released.
Delaware no longer has a waiting week. Claimants should submit a weekly pay authorization the Sunday after a claim is filed and every week thereafter even if they have not yet received a payment.
Unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. If an employer must shut down operations and no work is available, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they meet the monetary criteria. Employees who are working reduced hours may be eligible and must report their gross wages at the time they are earned, not paid. Delaware makes no distinction between part time and full time employees who are completely unemployed.
Stay at Home Order
- The Stay at Home Order started Tuesday morning on March 24, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and is scheduled to last until May 15, 2020, or until the public health threat is eliminated.
- The Stay at Home Order requires that people remain in their homes or places of residence and avoid going out in public unless they are engaged in an “Essential Activity” or “Essential Travel.”
- Delaware’s Governor, John Carney, as part of several adjustments to ensure the public health during this pandemic.
- The Stay at Home Order is needed to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (also known as COVID-19) in Delaware. Unless we all take steps to reduce the spread of this illness, Delaware’s health care systems will have more sick people than they can care for. By staying home and reducing your activities, you can help reduce the rate of spread of this illness in Delaware and avoid overburdening our health care systems.
- People who violate an emergency order can be fined up to $500 or subject to imprisonment for up to six (6) months for each violation.
- The Stay at Home Order will last until May 15 or until the public health threat is eliminated.
- Yes, but only for Essential Activities or Essential Travel. If you leave your home, you must still practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people.
- Maintain at least a six-foot distance from other people who are not in your household
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs or sneezes by sneezing into a tissue or your inner elbow (not your hands)
- Regularly clean high-touch surfaces
- Do not shake hands
- Follow all CDC recommendations available at https://www.cdc.gov/
- Unless we all take steps to reduce the spread of this illness, Delaware’s healthcare systems will have more sick people than our hospitals can support. While the symptoms are often less severe in the young, young and healthy people can become infected and transmit the virus to others. We need everyone to be cautious and practice social distancing.
- No, social distancing is not required between members of the same household, caregivers, or individuals with whom you have a close personal relationship.
- Essential Activities are activities that are necessary for you to maintain your health, and the health and wellbeing of your family members, including pets. Here are some examples of Essential Activities:
- getting medical care and medical supplies, such as prescriptions
- buying food, household supplies, and pet supplies
- caring for family members, friends, or pets in other households
- doing laundry at a laundromat or dry cleaner
- exercising and going outside, such as walking, running, biking, fishing, or walking your dog
- Essential Travel is any travel necessary for an Essential Activity. Here are some examples of Essential Travel:
- travel to care for, or deliver supplies to, elderly persons, children, and people with disabilities
- travel to purchase food and other household supplies
- travel to care for pets
- travel to schools and other educational institutions where the travel is necessary to receive materials for distance learning, receiving meals, or any other related services
- travel necessary to return to your home or place of residence in Delaware
- travel necessary to return to your home or place of residence outside of Delaware
- travel to comply with a court order, including a custody agreement
- travel to work for those businesses deemed essential to remain open
- Outdoor exercise like walking, running, hiking and fishing is allowed. When you are outside, you should still practice social distancing by running or walking at least six feet away from other people.
- Yes, but you should still practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people.
- Most public playgrounds are closed and should be avoided. Additionally, you should avoid using basketball courts with other people, or using jungle gyms because they are not being wiped down between children who may climb on them. Remember, while exercising or playing outside, you should still practice social distancing by keeping six feet away from other people.
- Yes, but only to exercise or walk your dog where dogs are permitted, and you should still practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people. Many towns have closed areas near beaches, like boardwalks and parking lots.
- No, Delaware campgrounds are closed at this time.
- Encourage her to stay home, call each other on the phone, or use FaceTime, Skype, or another video call option. Remember that you can travel to care for or deliver supplies to elderly persons, children, and people with disabilities, but not for social visits.
- Groceries stores are open and are essential businesses. You are permitted to go to the store as needed to pick up what you need, including food, groceries, formula, and diapers, and toilet paper. Sellers have repeatedly indicated that there is plenty of supply and there is no reason to over-purchase.
- Yes, takeout and delivery from restaurants is permitted in Delaware at this time.
- No, special permission or documentation is not required to drive in Delaware at this time.
- Additional information about COVID-19 and the Stay at Home Order is available at: https://news.delaware.gov/2020/03/22/governor-carney-issues-stay-at-home-order-for-delawareans
Out-of-State Self-Quarantine Order
No. You should shop in your home state.
Yes, but only if you work for an essential business. If you can do your job remotely (from home), you should do so.
You can return home now. You may be subject to similar self-quarantine requirements imposed by your home state.
Yes. Individuals traveling to care for a family member, friend, or pet in Delaware are not subject to the self-quarantine requirement.
Only if you are performing an essential business function or providing assistance or emergency services related to COVID-19.
You should remain in your primary residence. If you travel to Delaware to stay at your beach house, you must self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days upon arrival.
Yes. Motorists may pass through Delaware on their way to other states.
If you are required to self-quarantine, you must stay in your residence unless you have a medical emergency or require medical care. You may not go to work, school or public areas or use public transportation. You should separate from other people in your residence as much as possible and avoid sharing personal items. You must follow any subsequent quarantine guidance issued by the CDC or the Delaware Division of Public Health.
No, loved ones or friends should do your shopping for you. You are only permitted to leave for essential medical appointments.
Testing and Symptoms
- To be tested, a referral from your provider is required. (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). Symptoms include: fever AND either cough OR difficulty breathing, body aches and sore throat. Contact your primary care provider if you have one. Those without a healthcare provider should call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899.
- Further info: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/
- If you have a primary care provider, please call them for further information. If you do not have a health care provider, please call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899.
- Due to restrictions in HIPAA and state privacy laws, the Division of Public Health is not permitted to provide that information. If you are identified as contact of someone who tested positive in a high-risk setting (like a nursing home), the Division of Public Health will reach out to you.
- Call your provider before your appointment to see if they are still conducting appointments. Many providers offer telemedicine services, call them in advance to find out if this is a service they offer. If you are unwell, please let your provider know and follow their guidance.
Animals
Currently there is no evidence to suggest any animals, including pets or livestock, can spread COVID-19 infection to people.
Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, this is a new virus and it is not fully understood. For this reason, it is recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people, until more information is known about COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, persons ill with COVID-19 should have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets, whenever possible. If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, wear a cloth face mask; don’t pet, share food, kiss, or hug them, or allow your pet to lick you; and wash your hands before and after any contact with your pet, service animal, and their supplies. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals. Contact your veterinarian if your pet displays any signs of illness.
Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with their animals. Since this is a new disease that has not been detected in domestic animals, we do not know the symptoms to look for in pets. However, if your pet shows any signs of illness, including respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
It is recommended that pets and other animals from different households be prevented from commingling at this time, out of an abundance of caution. When walking your dog, practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet between you and other people. If you cannot maintain social distancing, follow Delaware’s guidance on wearing a face covering. Even though people might not feel sick or show symptoms, they can spread the virus.
A family member, friend, or neighbor should be asked to care for your animals while you are hospitalized and until your isolation period has come to an end. Alternatively, you can contact your veterinarian or an animal boarding facility to coordinate boarding your pet while you are in the hospital.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Similar but different coronavirus species cause several common diseases in domestic animals which are not contagious to people. Many dogs, for example, are vaccinated for another species of coronavirus (Canine Coronavirus) as puppies. However, this vaccine does not cross protect for COVID-19. There is no vaccine for COVID-19 for animals or humans at this time.
Contact your veterinarian to see how they wish to proceed. They may be able to help you by telephone or video conference, or they may require that a healthy person bring the pet in for evaluation. In order to best protect their staff, they will likely have special instructions for you and your pet upon arrival, such as keeping the pet in the car until time of examination; asking you to fill out paperwork from your car; and processing payment for services by telephone.
A very small number of pets, including dogs and cats, outside the United States have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19. There have been no reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States. To date, there is no evidence that pets can spread the virus to people.
The first case of an animal testing positive for COVID-19 in the United States was a tiger with a respiratory illness at a zoo in New York City. Samples from this tiger were taken and tested after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed signs of respiratory illness. Public health officials believe these large cats became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was actively shedding virus. This investigation is ongoing.
Experimental studies conducted in a laboratory setting indicate that cats and ferrets might be able to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and transmit the virus to other animals. However, in a natural setting, it appears that domestic animals are not readily infected with SARS-CoV-2 and we have little to no evidence that they become ill.
At this time, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread to people from the skin or fur of pets. Normal cleanliness and hygiene should be maintained for your pet. As a general precaution it is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water after touching animals.
Always practice social (physical) distancing from the ill person, as well as from other persons when you’re on a walk with a dog. Practice handwashing when entering the person’s home. Avoid touching surfaces in the person’s home as much as possible. Do not share food, kiss, or hug the pet, or allow the pet to lick you; and wash your hands before and after any contact with the pet and their supplies. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils with the ill person or pet. After you attend to the pet and go home, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and wash your clothes.
Call your veterinary clinic with any questions about your animal’s health. In order to ensure the veterinary clinic is prepared to evaluate the animal, the owner should call ahead and arrange the hospital or clinic visit. Make sure to tell your veterinarian if your animal was exposed to a person sick with COVID-19, and if your animal is showing any signs of illness.
At this time, the State of Delaware, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend routine testing of animals for the virus that causes COVID-19 in people. Veterinarians who believe an animal should be tested will contact state animal health officials, who will work with public health and animal health authorities to decide whether samples should be collected and tested.
Essential veterinary care, pet food retail, and animal shelter operations are all deemed essential services in Delaware and therefore remain open to the public. It is recommended to call a facility prior to arrival for special instructions or changes to hours of operation.
Yes. There is no evidence that any companion animals, including shelter animals, are a potential source of COVID-19 infection for people. Many animal shelters and rescues continue to look for foster care and adoption applicants.
Take time now to make plans and prepare your pets in case you can no longer take care of your pets or have to go to the hospital due to COVID-19.
- Designate a trusted pet caregiver (family, friend, neighbor, colleague), who has a set of keys to your home, is familiar with your home and pet, knows your emergency plan, and has your contact information.
- Prepare pet care instruction documents for each of your pets with information on feeding, watering, health conditions, medications, etc.
- Make sure your pet is microchipped, the microchip is registered, and information is up to date. Your pet should always be wearing a collar or harness with identification.
- Make sure your pet’s veterinary care and vaccines are up to date. Organize your veterinary records so they are readily accessible.
- In addition to making sure you have a supply of your own medication, be certain you have at least 2-4 weeks of your pet’s medication.
- Ensure you have an adequate supply of pet food, litter, and other consumable supplies.
- Have leashes and crates/carriers available in case your pets need to be transported.
If you are seeking help for your pet, there are organizations in Delaware that may be able to help with low-cost veterinary care and vaccinations, spay and neuter, pet food bank, and sheltering. The Office of Animal Welfare has a listing of community resources online for pet owners.
Face Masks
A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. Research has shown that certain more densely-woven fabrics may be more effective. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
The primary role of cloth face coverings are to reduce the release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but may not show symptoms. Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for washing hands, physical distancing while performing essential activities, and staying home, but they may be helpful when combined with these actions.
You are required to wear a face covering in public settings, including in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and on public transportation. Wearing a cloth face covering does not eliminate the need to physically distance yourself from others. If you are sick, you should wear a cloth face covering, over your nose and mouth if you must be around other people — even while at home.
Washing your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily is strongly recommended. Use a bag or bin to store cloth face coverings until they can be laundered with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on or adjusting the mask, and avoid touching your face. Discard cloth face coverings that:
- Have stretched out or damaged ties or straps
- No longer cover the mouth and nose
- Don’t stay on the face
- Have any rips or holes in the fabric
Related Topics: coronavirus, coronavirus faq, COVID-19, Delaware coronavirus faq, Delaware coronavirus questions, FAQ, Questions, Resources, Travel
