Week 20: 24th modification to COVID-19 state of emergency

To start off Week 20 of the COVID-19 state of emergency, Gov. John Carney has issued another set of modifications, including an opportunity for senior centers, adult day care centers and congregate food programs to open at 30 percent capacity.

Another major event is impacted by the pandemic. Officials at Dover International Speedway announced that the Aug. 21-23 six-race NASCAR series will take place but without fans in the stands. That comes after a comprehensive plan submitted to state officials to allow a limited number of fans. "Unfortunately, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the decision was made to not allow fans. We understand it, and while we are disappointed, we also realize that we need to err on the side of caution and yield to the opinions of public health experts to help reduce the further spread of COVID-19,” said Mike Tatoian, speedway president and CEO.

Races will be broadcast on NBCSN.

While most major events – including Firefly – have been canceled due to COVID-19 crisis, the Delaware State Fair in Harrington is ongoing through Saturday, Aug. 1. See a schedule of activities at delawarestatefair.com.

Included in the 24th modification to the state of emergency first issued March 13:

• Driving schools and driver’s education programs can resume with no more than three people in a car.

• Food and drink establishments may collect contact information from patrons so that they can be informed by state health officials if another patron or an employee tests COVID-19 positive. Giving the information is not mandatory. Contact information must be on file for 28 days. All food establishments are still restricted to 60 percent of fire occupancy limits with social distancing and face-covering requirements in effect.

• Youth sports tournaments, except for those deemed high risk, can resume outdoors and indoors as long as tournament plans are approved by state health officials. Tournaments and competition are not allowed in football, wrestling, rugby and ice and roller hockey.

See the modification at governor.delaware.gov/health-soe/twenty-fourth-state-of-emergency.

Other news of the week:

To spur business and encourage locals to visit the resort, Rehoboth Beach is offering meter-less Mondays starting at 4 p.m. July 27 through Aug. 31.

Officials from the William Penn School District, the state’s largest, announced classes would be virtual to start the school year.

Delmarva Christian Schools will start in-person classes in August. The high school in Georgetown will open Wednesday, Aug. 19, and the Milton campus for students pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will start Wednesday, Aug. 26. See the reopening plan at delmarvachristian.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OXFwdBTd_School_Update_July_24.pdf.

State offers testing for Dover church members

Delaware Division of Public Health is encouraging COVID-19 testing for members of a Dover church and attendees of the church’s weekend conference. At least three members of the Destiny Christian Church tested positive for COVID-19, and at least two of the individuals attended recent services before learning they were positive potentially exposing other church members.

In addition, the church held a three-day Life Conference 2020 this past weekend, as well as a three-day conference July 17-19, drawing a few hundred persons each weekend and potentially increasing the risk of exposure and transmission of the virus to others.

DPH and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency worked with the leadership of Destiny Christian Church to offer testing to members of the congregation and conference attendees from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, at the church at 2161 Forrest Ave., Dover.