Delaware Legislature postpones return from break
Delaware’s General Assembly is postponing its return from break over coronavirus concerns.
The Legislature was scheduled to return from its break on March 17, but with the spread of COVID-19 which has resulted in four people testing positive, House and Senate leaders decided to push back the start to March 24. That day, however, is tentative.
“After careful consideration and consultation with various state agencies, we believe delaying our return is the right decision to ensure the safety of our staff, fellow lawmakers and members of the public who visit Legislative Hall when we are in session,” said both Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. David McBride, D-Hawk’s Nest, in a joint statement. “At this moment, our postponement will extend until March 24. However, we will carefully monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware and across the country, and we will re-evaluate when to return to session on a weekly basis. As we have said before, this is a rapidly shifting situation and we must remain flexible based on the changing circumstances.”
Starting Friday, March 13, Legislative Hall will be closed to the public. There will be no tours, and any meetings scheduled for the following week will also be postponed.
About 600 people – staff, legislators, lobbyists, press and members of the public – visit Legislative Hall on an average session day. This far exceeds the 250-person guideline recommended by public health officials. Experts also are recommending that people practice social distancing, which is a difficult proposition in a building such as Legislative Hall, said Drew Volturo, communications director for the House Democratic Caucus.
Missed session days are not unprecedented, he said. In the past, the General Assembly has canceled a limited number of session days due to inclement weather. These missed days will be treated in a similar fashion, Volturo said. Discussions about how to proceed with the remainder of session will be ongoing and developing as the situation unfolds, he said.
