What you need to know about Delaware's new COVID-19 restrictions that started Monday

Two sets of restrictions announced previously by Gov. John Carney went into effect Monday at 8 a.m. 

The restrictions include a stay-at-home advisory, a stricter mask requirement and further limitations on restaurants and retail. Here's what you need to know.

What is the stay-at-home advisory? How is it being enforced?

The state is advising Delawareans to stay at home to slow the worsening spread of COVID-19. It does not apply to those traveling to and from work.

The stay-at-home advisory is a strong recommendation and not an order, meaning it will not be enforced.

"We’re just saying we need to reduce the risk given the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus among people in our community," Carney said last week.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Delaware issues stay-at-home advisory, indoor mask order; remote learning suggested

What are Delaware's new restrictions?

• People who are indoors with anyone outside their immediate household must wear a mask.
• Winter sports competitions are banned from Dec. 14 to Jan. 11. Practices can continue with mask wearing and social distancing.
• Restaurants and bars must close indoor and outdoor dining at 10 p.m.
• Businesses above 100,000 square feet are limited to 20% of stated fire capacity.
• All other businesses, including most retail stores and all restaurants, are limited to 30% of stated fire capacity.
• Retail below 5,000 square feet, all houses of worship and funeral services are limited to 40% of stated fire capacity.
• Exercise classes at gyms are limited to 10 people, and exercise machines must be spaced 10 feet apart.
• Indoor gatherings at businesses or indoor spaces open to the public must be limited to the lesser of 30% of the venue's stated fire capacity or 10 people.
• Restaurants must have signage displayed on tables stating parties must be from the same household.

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Are the previous restrictions still in place?

Yes. People are still required to gather indoors only with their immediate household, and indoor dining is still capped at 30% capacity as mandated in mid-November.

Outdoor gatherings have also been limited to 50 people, though up to 250 people are allowed if the event is preapproved by the Delaware Division of Public Health.

At gyms, masks must be worn at all times. Previously, they were optional while using aerobic exercise equipment such as stationary bikes and treadmills.

Mall food courts are limited to 20% of stated fire capacity or 100 people, whichever is smaller. A complete list of active restrictions can be found here.

What about schools?

In early December, the state recommended schools pause in-person learning beginning Monday until Jan. 8, with plans to return to hybrid learning on Jan. 11. However, school districts that want to remain in hybrid learning may do so.

The suggested pause is intended to help districts plan for the second half of the year. The recommendation does not apply to child care centers.

Officials insist transmission of the virus is not occurring within schools, and that students and teachers who have tested positive contracted the virus outside schools.

How long is this going to go on?

The stay-at-home advisory expires on Jan. 11. The other restrictions, made under the governor's emergency order, will remain in effect until the state of emergency is lifted or the governor rescinds or amends them.

As the spread of COVID-19 has worsened throughout Delaware over the past several weeks, Carney has consistently said he is trying to "strike a balance" between implementing measures to keep people safe and avoiding restrictions that would further damage Delaware businesses.

The measures are intended to "flatten the curve" of hospitalizations to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients.

Public health officials expect the virus' spread to get worse before it gets better, as temperatures drop and people gather indoors around the winter holidays.

VACCINE: Delaware hospitals, nursing homes prepare to give staff, residents the COVID-19 vaccine

Although a vaccine is on the way, Delaware's initial shipments will be very small. The general public won't likely have access to it for several months.

Delaware on Saturday reported its first daily case count above 1,000. Hospitalizations increased by nine to 357 on Sunday, the second-highest tally in Delaware. Over the past week, Delaware has averaged nearly 800 cases per day.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.