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Week 16: COVID-19 positives increase in Cape Region

Gov. Carney allows restaurants to remain open but orders bars to close July 3
Delaware Army National Guard and DEMA continue to provide COVID-19 testing in the Cape Region. The Epworth United Methodist Church site near Rehoboth Beach was busy for four straight hours on July 2. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
July 2, 2020

Heading into Week 16 of the COVID-19 state of emergency, state health officials stepped up testing in the Lewes-Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach area after several restaurant workers and lifeguards tested positive. Test sites at The Starboard, Rehoboth Elementary School and Epworth United Methodist Church attracted hundreds upon hundreds of people, many of whom waited in line for more than a hour, at all three locations.

• Some bars and restaurants, including Hammerheads, The Starboard and Woody’s, closed temporarily last weekend into the first few days of this week. That action was followed by an order by Gov. John Carney that bars in the Cape Region must close leading up to the July 4th weekend. Restaurants with bars can still serve alcohol to patrons who are seated at tables. See the 23rd modification to the state of emergency here. 

• Increased investigation of restaurants to ensure compliance with health regulations is anticipated.

• Carney ordered Highway One to cancel its highly publicized July 4th fireworks in Dewey Beach. Fireworks and other activities in Laurel, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach were already canceled. Fireworks are planned on the grounds of Fat Daddy’s BBQ along Route 404 between Georgetown and Bridgeville starting with music and food vendors at 7 p.m., July 4.

• Due to an upswing in positive cases in the Cape Region, Carney indefinitely delayed a move to Phase 3 of the economic reopening plan.

• Rehoboth Beach officials are requiring face coverings to be worn not only on the Boardwalk, but all other locations in city limits, including the beach. Bathers are permitted to remove their masks while in the ocean.

• Delaware State Parks placed further restrictions at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island state parks. Starting July 3, and until further notice, 60 percent parking capacity at the parks will be enforced, and once capacity is reached, vehicles will be turned away until vehicle volume is reduced. Officials said the one-in, one-out policy is no longer in effect. At Cape park, the count also includes surf-fishing vehicles.

• Funland in Rehoboth Beach reopened with five Boardwalk games available but no rides.

 

 

Lines have been long at COVID-19 testing sites this week, including a July 2 event at Epworth United Methodist Church. Vehicles are lined up on Holland Glade Road to Route 1 waiting to get into the church parking lot.
In the first of several COVID-19 testings in the resort area over the week, people line up near The Starboard June 29 in Dewey Beach.
Sussex County paramedics assist with saliva testing at The Starboard in Dewey Beach.
With much-tempered July 4th activities this year, at least the Route 9 Pole Family provides some red, white and blue to brighten the holiday.
With an in-person meeting June 30, Sussex County Council becomes the first elected body in Sussex County to reconvene in public since the COVID-19 state of emergency was enacted in mid-March.
Downtown Lewes is decorated with Love, Lewes banners on Second Street and Savannah Road.
Charter boats are back in business at Fisherman’s Wharf in Lewes.
At least the seagulls are happy with the current state of affairs as Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk food vendors are open, including Thrasher’s French Fries.
Georgetown celebrates July Fourth with Flags for Heroes on The Circle.

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