As Delaware beaches open, governor warns out-of-staters: Stay away

Delaware Gov. John Carney is warned out-of-state residents to stay away from the region's newly opened beaches, with the state declaring that visitors who don't adhere to the mandatory 14-day out-of-state quarantine could face criminal charges. 

Carney issued the warning Thursday in a press release in which he declared that the state's beaches would re-open next Friday, May 22, with "strict social distancing requirements and other restrictions." The state shut down its beaches on March 21. 

The state's ban on short-term beach house rentals will remain in effect, as will a mandatory six-feet minimum between individuals in public. Notably, the government's strict regulations on out-of-state visitors will still be in place, with the governor himself urging travelers to avoid the state altogether. 

"I want to be very clear to our friends who want to travel here from outside the state," he said. "While we hope one day soon to be able to welcome you to our beaches, that time has not yet come. We need to reopen Delaware in a controlled way that doesn’t put anyone at risk." 

Carney has mandated that any visitors from outside Delaware must self-quarantine for two weeks upon entrance. To enforce that rule as the beaches reopen, the press release stated, the government "will station troopers at routes typically used by out-of-state travelers."

Travelers "will be stopped, asked a series of questions, and given information about the 14-day quarantine requirement." Those who do not obey that rule may face criminal charges. 

Asking for "voluntary compliance" to the mandatory law, state police Superintendent Nathaniel McQueen Jr. said his force "will continue to enforce the laws of the State of Delaware, to include those associated with the 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers" 

The governor is also requiring individuals to wear face masks while on boardwalks; he is also still mandating that restaurants only offer take-out services.