Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley COVID-19 Traveler Information

Welcome back to our region!

The Governor of Delaware lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers (effective June 1), and we are gearing up to roll out the red carpet for you.

All of us must continue to do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19. This means social distancing, wearing masks in public, and practicing good hygiene and sanitation.

As our state opens up in phases, we want you to know your safety is paramount. With the help of our friends at the Delaware Tourism Office, we have gathered a ton of resources to let you know what to expect and show you the steps we’ve taken to protect your health.

In addition to these resources, here are two blog posts from the Delaware Tourism Office about how you should prepare for your visit and what you should expect.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

General Sanitation, Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Ecolab®'s cleaning and disinfecting guidance for the hospitality industry explains Novel Coronavirus and highlights preventive measures to thwart COVID-19 and other illnesses. 
  
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Retail and Small Business

• Retailers can open their indoor spaces at 30 percent of stated fire capacity, effective June 1. They may accept two appointments per half hour and must adhere to strict social distancing and cleaning guidance from the Delaware Division of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
• The Delaware Division of Small Business and the Division of Public Health developed COVID-19 Customer Protection Standards to increase consumer confidence.  Eligible businesses display a front entrance window cling to verify they are following Delaware safety guidelines. (Click image above enlarge)
   
• The State of Delaware has created the Business-to-Business Toolkit to help businesses safely and successfully open. It includes vetted resources for PPE and sanitation supplies.
  
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Restaurants

• Restaurants may open their indoor spaces at 30 percent of stated fire capacity, effective June 1. Reservations are required. Restaurants, bars, taprooms and craft breweries can also apply to expand outdoor seating.
   
• The Delaware Restaurant Association developed reopening guidelines specific to restaurants and is connecting restaurants to the free online training offered by the National Restaurant Association. 
   
• To ensure everyone’s safety as restaurants welcome guests back into their dining spaces, the Delaware Restaurant Association also released the “Delaware Restaurant Promise.” Click here and here to download the promise.
  
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Attractions

• The attractions of Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley are beginning to welcome guests again or planning to do so in the near future. Each is introducing new measures to protect against the transmission of COVID-19.
   
• The American Alliance of Museums has compiled a guide to help museums manage the impact of COVID-19. It includes a re-opening resource guide and sample reopening plans.
   
• As of June 1, the garden and outdoor areas of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library are open to members by reservation only. Timed tickets are available for two-hour intervals. A maximum of 100 cars will be allowed in the parking lot during each interval.
  
  Guests are asked to follow safety measures such as keeping appropriate physical distancing, following one-directional pathways, wearing face masks, and taking other precautions as posted on-site. Reservations can be made online or by phone (302-888-4600). Become a member by clicking here.
   
• Hagley is open as of June 1 to members by reservation. For now, access is limited to the lower property which features trails and scenic views of the Brandywine. For visitors’ safety, Hagley is limiting daily capacity and hours of entry. Click here to learn more about what Hagley is doing to protect the welfare of its guests.  To make a reservation, click here or call 302-658-2400, ext. 256. Click here to become a member.
  
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Hotels

• In response to COVID-19, the American Hotel and Lodging Association has launched a “Stay Safe” initiative and developed enhanced industry-wide hotel cleaning standards. These health and safety guidelines are in accordance with the CDC.
   
• The Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association has drafted Operational Procedures that cover every aspect of hotel operations as it pertains to basic infection prevention measures, hygiene and environmental safety. 
  
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Meetings and Events

• As of June 1, outside gatherings with up to 250 guests may be held as long as face masks and social distancing are used. To read the guidance on outdoor gatherings released by the Delaware Division of Public Health, click here.
   
• Organizers may apply to host outdoor gatherings over 250 guests by submitting a plan to the Delaware Division of Small Business at least seven days prior to the event.
   
• The Event Safety Alliance has released The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide to address health and sanitary issues event and venue professionals need to consider in order to protect patrons and workers.
  
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Transportation

• Transportation companies are taking preventive action to combat the spread of COVID-19 and encourage passengers to follow CDC guidelines when riding in vehicles:
  • Wear a mask
  • Limit contact
  • Clean and disinfect surroundings
     
• Lyft and Uber have established new safety measures including a requirement that all riders and drivers must wear face masks.
   
• DART First State has resumed full bus service in our region, effective June 1. To promote the use of contactless, cashless fare payments, DART is offering discounts to those who use the DART Pass mobile payment app. Those choosing not to use the app will be billed for their trips. No cash or tickets will be handled by bus operators. 
  
  DART is limiting the number of passengers allowed on each bus based on bus seating capacity. Passengers, with the exception of children age 12 and under, must wear face coverings.
  
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Additional Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Delaware Division of Public Health
• Delaware Tourism Office
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• State of Delaware
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International Association of Exhibitors and Events (IAEE)
• Meetings Mean Business
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• U.S. Travel Association
  
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