DOVER — Increased capacity is coming to Delaware’s outdoor venues beginning Thursday at 8 a.m. as Gov. John Carney announced an easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Monday.

Outdoor gatherings in spaces with no fire occupancy restrictions will be expanding to 150 people, starting on Thursday. Capacity is allowed to be higher for these venues pending a plan approved by the Division of Public Health.

This is applicable, but not limited to outdoor weddings, funerals, concerts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, sporting events and fairs.

Outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with more than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 50% of stated fire capacity, per the new order. Also, outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with less than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 75% of stated fire capacity.

Any outdoor venue hosting more than 150 people must still have a plan approved by DPH to mitigate spread of COVID-19, according to the order. Plans for outdoor events and gatherings should be submitted to DPH by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov at least seven days prior to the event.

Hosts of outdoor gatherings and events must provide materials and equipment necessary for proper hand hygiene and require attendees to follow masking and social distancing requirements — including having a mechanism for limiting attendance.

Indoor gatherings or events at any business or indoor space open to the public remain limited to the lesser of 50% of stated fire occupancy or 25 people. Food and drink establishments also remain at 50% of stated fire occupancy requirements, excluding employees.

“We know that gathering outdoors poses a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission,” said Gov. Carney in a statement. “That’s why we’re comfortable easing certain outdoor restrictions as we head into spring. But until we can get enough Delawareans fully vaccinated, keep following the basic, common-sense public health precautions. Wear a mask when you’re around others. Avoid large gatherings when possible. Get the COVID-19 vaccine when your number is called. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay vigilant.”

Gov. Carney’s revision allowed the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to issue an additional 1,000 surf fishing vehicle tags for the 2021 season.

It also removed the two-spectator limit for sporting events.

The University of Delaware recently announced its plans for 23% capacity, approximately 4,100 fans, inside Delaware Stadium for the final scheduled regular-season home football game on Saturday, pending approval from the DPH. Delaware State University is currently operating with no spectators permitted at its sporting events as of Monday.

Gov. Carney’s order comes as Delaware is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases compared to earlier this month, although still down from a surge in January. The seven-day rolling average for new positive cases is up to 284.6 new cases per day — the highest since Feb. 28. That number was as low as 187.3 cases per day on March 16.

There were 343 new positive cases in Monday’s report, which reflects data as of Sunday at 6 p.m., bringing the state’s total to 94,402.

Hospitalizations did drop by 13 compared to the day prior, down to 115. It is the 14th day in a row they have been over 100. Of those currently hospitalized, 18 are considered critical cases.

The DPH announced eight newly reported COVID-19-related deaths on Monday, all of which were as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records from January and February. This increases the COVID-19-related death toll to 1,552,

Four of the eight were residents of long-term care facilities, bringing the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in long-term care centers to 730 (47%). All eight were from New Castle County and ranged in age from 60 to 99 years old.

The DPH is reporting 439,391 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of Sunday at 11:59 p.m. A total of 154,762 persons are considered fully vaccinated, including 146,046 who received both doses of a two-dose vaccine series and 8,716 who received a one-dose series. An additional 138,656 individuals have received their first dose of a two-dose series and are awaiting their second dose.