In recognition of the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk that social gatherings present for the spread of COVID-19 throughout the Newark community, members of City Council passed Emergency Ordinance No. 20-07 on November 23, 2020 to align with Governor John Carney’s home gathering limit issued on November 17, 2020. Emergency Ordinance No. 20-07 limits the number of attendees at private residences. Please take note of these specific guidelines:

• The City of Newark will not allow increases in indoor social gathering limits for as long as Emergency Ordinance No. 20-07 is in effect; indoor gathering limits are set at 10 people, regardless of age
• Outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed in City limits without a permit; gatherings can be increased to a maximum of 250 attendees with approval from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and a City of Newark Social Gathering Permit
  • The City of Newark may unilaterally grant a permit for a gathering with up to 50 guests
  • Proof of DPH approval must be submitted along with the Newark Social Gathering Permit Application if the headcount is between 51-250
  • Event plans can be sent to DPH at HSPcontact@delaware.gov; Newark’s Permit Application can be found at www.newarkde.gov/socialgathering
• Indoor gatherings of over 10 attendees cannot occur, even with a permit, until Emergency Ordinance No. 20-07 is lifted

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