Delaware moves into Phase 2 of its reopening plan on Monday, with amusement and water parks remaining closed for now.
At a press briefing on Friday, Delaware Public Health Director, Dr. Karyl Rattay said the state is still working through issues such as surfaces that can be touched by many people in a short period of time and challenges with social distancing.
Rattay said Delaware will be looking at the experiences of other states, which are beginning to reopen amusement parks.
Maryland, facing pressure from Ocean City and other areas, opted to open amusement areas in its Phase 2, which got underway on Friday night.
In Delaware, restaurants can operate at 60 percent capacity, although that figure may be limited by the requirement that tables remain six feet apart.
Some restaurants are opting to operate at 50 percent of capacity. In some cases, every other booth is being used. Still not allowed to open are buffets. Asian buffets had seen growth in recent years.
Personal care services – barber shops, beauty salons, massage centers etc. still operate at 30 percent of capacity under Phase 2.
Delaware could move to Phase 3 in time for the July 4th holiday that could mean a return to fewer restrictions.
To date, Delaware is seeing a decline in the rate of COVID-19 infections and stepped up testing and contact tracing programs that are seen as essential to isolating any outbreaks.
At the same time, coronavirus cases are beginning to increase in a number of states, the closest being North Carolina.
