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UPDATED: March 23, 6:55 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Delaware Gov. John Carney Sunday issued a stay-at-home order and the closing of non-essential businesses that will take effect 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24.
In an interview with KYW Newsradio, Carney explained that under the order, residents can still leave their home for essential services such as visiting a physician, buying groceries, going to a business that is permitted to stay open, or even going for a walk outside — although residents have to practice social distancing.
The order is to reduce the spread of the virus, he explained.
He said states around Delaware have issued the order, and the stay-at-home order will help reduce the spread of the virus while also preventing people in surrounding states that are under the order from coming to Delaware because of more relaxed rules.
"We just need everybody to pitch in," he added.
On Monday, Carney also ordered all Delaware schools to remain closed through at least May 15.
I've ordered all Delaware schools to remain closed through at least Friday, May 15 to fight the spread of coronavirus. #eduDEℹ️ https://t.co/fd6BZOaVHw pic.twitter.com/Tvyxv0fJsX
— Governor John Carney (@JohnCarneyDE) March 23, 2020When asked if he was concerned that Pennsylvania has not issued a stay-at-home order yet, Carney said there needs to be an approach that is more regional than state-specific.
"We saw a lot of people coming into Delaware because our beaches were opened at the beginning of the weekend and beaches in other places were closed or restricted. And so that's why we need an approach that's more regional and not so much state-specific," he said.
Delaware now has 87 positive coronavirus cases.
