COVID-19 in Delaware: Looking back at the pandemic 5 years later

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting on June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

A photo from 2019 of Crossroads Restaurant on Kirkwood Highway and Limestone Road. The business, closed since March 2020 is up for sale.

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting on June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting on June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

In April 2020, Boscov's and virtually the rest of the Concord Mall was closed down during the coronavirus crisis. The mall is getting new tenants including Rasa Sayang Malaysian restaurant.

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting on June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

Redfire Grill was forced to close Tuesday after a ban on dine-in serves and restaurants and bars went into effect Monday. March 17, 2020

Cafe Gelato has constructed two dining greenhouses that cycle warm air to make outdoor dining comfortable while still following COVID-19 safety protocols. December 7, 2020

Brad Wagner, owner of Hangman Brewing Co., welcomed customers for opening weekend on Friday, March 13, 2020. The following Monday, they had to close following Carney's stay-at-home order.

Trader Joe's is reducing it's hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in response to COVID-19. The new hours will be in effect until further notice. March 16, 2020

The beach areas of Rehoboth and Dewey, usually gearing up for the summer season, are quiet due to restrictions meant to halt the spread of COVID-19 amid a global pandemic. April 3, 2020

A sign in front of the Quality Inn in Georgetown reads 'be safe and stop the spread' during the COVID-19 outbreak on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Rural Sussex County was declared a hot spot for the pandemic on Tuesday.

The beach areas of Rehoboth and Dewey, usually gearing up for the summer season, are quiet due to restrictions meant to halt the spread of COVID-19 amid a global pandemic. April 3, 2020

A sign and letter hangs on the door of Stoney's Pub on Rt. 202 letting customers know they are closing for the time being because of the coronavirus (Covid-19 virus). March 16, 2020

A sign advertises virtual classes at Liberty Yoga in Newark advertise, as in person groups are suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. March 23, 2020

The beach areas of Rehoboth and Dewey, usually gearing up for the summer season, are quiet due to restrictions meant to halt the spread of COVID-19 amid a global pandemic. April 3, 2020

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

City of Rehoboth Beach crews place barricades on Rehoboth Avenue Friday closing off parking for the first two blocks to allow businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining and shopping starting on June 1, 2020. The outdoor spaces are part of the first phase of shops and restaurants reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown.

Governor John Carney speaks during his weekly press conference on the state of COVID-19 in Delaware Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, at the Carvel State Building in Wilmington.

Christine Shaw of Liberty Yoga demonstrates a virtual yoga class, as in person groups are suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. March 23, 2020

The change in COVID policy comes as the number of cases on campus are on the rise and the isolation facilities have reached full capacity. March 12, 2020

The bandstand area is empty as City of Rehoboth Beach workers remove benches from the boardwalk, bandstand and along Rehoboth Avenue. The city continues to mandate social distancing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. April 27, 2020

A security guard checks for ID as cars enter the Delaware State University Dover campus earlier this week. The campus, like the University of Delaware, is open for a limited number of residential students this semester. August 28, 2020

Covid-19 safety guidelines sit next to the entrance of the front office of Lake Forest East Elementary School Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Peg Bradley and Carl Pierce look over the closed Rehoboth Beach boardwalk after picking up take-out treats at Dolle's. May 8, 2020

The beach areas of Rehoboth and Dewey, usually gearing up for the summer season, are quiet due to restrictions meant to halt the spread of COVID-19 amid a global pandemic. April 3, 2020

The change in COVID policy comes as the number of cases on campus are on the rise and the isolation facilities have reached full capacity. March 12, 2020

The change in COVID policy comes as the number of cases on campus are on the rise and the isolation facilities have reached full capacity. March 12, 2020

Signs hang into the storefronts along Rehoboth Beach Ave. on Thursday, May 7 detailing COVID-19 closures, many through the entire 2020 summer season.

Signs hang into the storefronts along Rehoboth Beach Ave. on Thursday, May 7, 2020 detailing COVID-19 precautions and closures.

Empty sand at Dewey Beach due the closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. April 3, 2020

The gas pumps are empty of cars and off at the Wawa location on Limestone Road in Stanton Friday after the store was closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. March 28, 2020

A closed sign hangs in the window of Switch Skateboarding in Newark, which will now be selling online only due to the COVID-19 outbreak. March 23, 2023

National 5 & 10 in Newark sits empty, closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Tyler Jacobson updates the website for his store, Switch Skateboarding in Newark, which is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. "I think it'll be a huge loss as this goes longer and longer," said Jacobson. "People might not even have the money to shop online." March 23, 2020

Delaware Seashore State Park beaches are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of Delaware was one of the first institutions in the state to close its doors due to COVID-19, after a faculty member was the first positive case of the coronavirus in Delaware. August 17, 2022

Signs outside the Milton Theatre indicate the small arts venue has closed indefinitely due to COVID-19 mandates Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.

A sign hangs in the window of Switch Skateboarding in Newark, informing that the store has been closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and urging customers to shop online. March 3, 2023

Officials have closed the beach and boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach and other Delaware beach towns to slow the spread of COVID-19. March 26, 2020

A Hobby Lobby store sits closed after the chain closed due to the COVID-19 crisis on April 03, 2020, in Lakewood, Colo.

National 5 & 10 in Newark sits empty, closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak on Monday, March 23, 2020.

A gas pump screen is dark, as are all the others, at the Wawa location on Limestone Road in Stanton Friday after the store was closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. March 28, 2020

Dheeraj Katanguri (holding sign) relays messages to a person taking a self-swab coronavirus test. April 22, 2020

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29th. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard, and Sussex County EMS. June 6, 2020

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard, and Sussex County EMS.

A healthcare worker with ChristianaCare takes a swab from a person in a vehicle during a drive-thru coronavirus testing setup in the parking lot of Chase Center in March. Tests were free, and patients will receive their results in two to five days. March 13, 2020

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard, and Sussex County EMS.

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard and Sussex County EMS.

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard, and Sussex County EMS.

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020. Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard and Sussex County EMS.

Testing for COVID-19 was held at the Starboard in Dewey Beach on Monday, June 29, 2020 Hundreds showed up for the Oral Swab Test held in conjunction with DEMA, Delaware National Guard, Starboard, and Sussex County EMS.

A driver gives himself a self-swab coronavirus test at the Rite Aid in Smyrna. April 22, 2020

The Wilmington Waterworks complex is lined with lights as part of Illuminate Delaware. Several area buildings will be illuminated each night thru Sunday evening to honor front line medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday evening the same locations will be lit red, white, and blue to honor fallen armed forces members. May 23, 2020

Respiratory Therapist Kathleen Bonis puts an "I got my COVID-19 vaccine!" sticker on after she received her first dose as ChristianaCare starts vaccinating its approximately 13,500 employees Friday at the Christiana Hospital. December 18, 2020

The Grand Opera House is lit up during Illuminate Delaware Friday. Several area buildings will be illuminated each night thru Sunday evening to honor front line medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday evening the same locations will be lit red, white, and blue to honor fallen armed forces members. May 23, 2020

Elisabeth Cote, a progressive care unit nurse at Bayhealth, is the first Delawarean to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday morning. December 15, 2020

Bayhealth pharmacist Kidane Geda stores the COVID-19 vaccine in an ultra-cold storage unit at Bayhealth's Kent County location on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020.

Clinical Educator Brittany Oakley, right, gives Medical Director for Emergency Services Dr. Kelly Abbrescia the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Bayhealth's Kent County Campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Dover. The hospital began giving vaccinations to fontline employees early Tuesday morning.