REHOBOTH BEACH — Many weekend tourists, locals and business owners on Rehoboth Avenue and Boardwalk shed their face masks for the first time in over a year Friday, just a week before the summer tourism season kicks off for Memorial Day weekend.

The relaxed approach to mask wearing is a result of the state’s lifted mask mandates, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s update last week. Under the new CDC guidance, Delawareans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can remove their face masks outdoors and in most indoor settings.

Mask wearing appeared sporadic inside Avenue stores, and even more so outside on the Boardwalk as visitors soaked up Friday’s sunny weather. Many business owners and visitors said that because they are now vaccinated against COVID-19, they feel comfortable removing their mask in settings where it is permitted.

The scene played out across Delaware Friday, with some people still wearing masks to pump gas and some not wearing them to shop inside. Many businesses were taking a wait-and-see approach.

Further north in Dover, the lunch-time rush across Route 13 featured many individuals still wearing their masks into Chipotle and Wawa but those entering restaurants with more seating looked to forgo their masks at the Greene Turtle, Mission BBQ and Grotto Pizza. Most establishments had new notices posted on their doors saying fully vaccinated persons were allowed in without masks.

Many business owners and visitors said that because they are now vaccinated against COVID-19, they feel comfortable removing their mask in settings where it is permitted.

For Amanda and Joshua Wilkins, frequent visitors of the Delaware beaches from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this week marks the first time they’ve dined at a local restaurant since March 2020.

“I think we both feel maybe a little trepidation, but mostly OK,” Amanda Wilkins said. “That is a new feeling that we haven’t had in a while.”

However, the Wilkins said they prefer to wear a mask in most indoor settings, regardless of their current vaccination status.

“I do keep reminding myself that [the pandemic] isn’t over,” Joshua Wilkins said. “I’m probably still overly cautious. I’m a health care provider, so I’ve worked with a lot of COVID patients. To me, wearing a mask in general is not a burden. I don’t particularly mind wearing one. I feel like it probably helps my allergies a lot, so even after everything else, I’m often still wearing one.”

Martha Good, who moved to the area last year from outside of Philadelphia, said she feels safe shedding her mask to enjoy a weekend with her two friends from out of state.

“I feel safe, I mean we’re all fully vaccinated. It’s less crowded out than I expected, it’s a beautiful weekend.” Ms. Good said. “Everybody does what they’re comfortable with, and we’re spending a lot of time outside, plus trying not to get too close to people in confined areas.”

Ms. Good added that she is happy to follow the mask guidelines individual businesses set and is most comfortable going mask-less when outdoors. Her friend, Tori Giesler from Philadelphia, said she’s confident going mask-less in most settings after being vaccinated.

“It’s definitely a good feeling once you get past any, you know, symptoms,” Ms. Giesler said. “It’s nice to see people’s faces for once, and their expressions.”

The City of Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners also made it official on Friday, voting in the afternoon to eliminate the city’s requirement that individuals wear masks on the boardwalk and in public indoor settings.

“The City of Rehoboth has been thoughtfully cautious in its response to the pandemic in order to ensure the safety of our residents, visitors, and businesspeople,” says Mayor Stan Mills in a statement. “And we thoughtfully have arrived at the conclusion, following guidance from the CDC and the state, that now is the time to lift most of our restrictions and gleefully get back to regular summertime activities. With the summer season upon us, we welcome visitors to our beach and community and encourage those who are not vaccinated to continue to take measures to protect themselves and others.”

Business picks up

The dropping of the mask mandate, which was issued by Gov. John Carney on April 25 of last year and went into effect on April 28, was not the only change to Delaware’s COVID-19 regulations.

Social distancing was also eliminated for fully vaccinated individuals, in accordance with the CDC guidance. All indoor facilities also were allowed to increase their capacity to 100% for the first time since Gov. Carney’s original State of Emergency order on March 12, 2020.

Dominique States, Planet Fitness’ regional manager, was at the company’s Seaford location on Friday and said she has been contacted by an influx of clients over the past week who wanted to prepare for the new regulations.

“We’ve had a lot of people coming back in,” Ms. States said. “People who freezed their membership and people who canceled a year ago, they’re coming back in because they are vaccinated, don’t have to wear a mask and are ready to get back into the flow.”

Ms. States said Delaware’s nine Planet Fitness facilities are keeping their extra sanitizing stations which were installed when gyms reopened in Delaware on June 1, 2020. While the social distancing rules have changed, Planet Fitness is still reserving some areas where individuals can be six-feet apart for those interested in keeping their distance.

Businesses are permitted to set mask guidelines for customers and employees at their own discretion. And many businesses Friday embraced that, dropping masks for those fully vaccinated and sharing the changes on social media such as Crooked Hammock Brewery and Grotto Pizza who both announced their vaccinated employees and customers no longer are required to wear masks inside.

“It’s a new day with new rules!” Mispillion River Brewing posted on its Facebook page. “Come in, take your mask off and relax!”

Enforcing the change

Gov. Carney said this week the state will not ask for proof that an unmasked individual is indeed fully vaccinated, saying the new guidelines will work on the honor system.

Most business owners, such as Rick Dryer — owner of Odysea on the Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, will allow customers to decide for themselves if they’ll mask up.

“I’m happy, really getting back to normal would be nice,” Mr. Dryer said. “People seem to be going with the flow. If they want to wear a mask, then they will.”

James Fitzsimmons, manager of Gidget’s Gadgets on the Avenue, said although masks are just a recommendation, he hopes customers will remain cautious when shopping inside smaller, crowded stores.

“I mean, I’m fully vaccinated, so people can make their own choice. But on a Saturday, our record rack can get really crowded,” he said. “So we have our sign that says we recommend a mask, because it is a small store.”

Owner of Greenman Juice Bar & Bistro Jeremy Brockway also said he’d let customers decide for themselves if they’ll wear a mask, especially because they offer outdoor seating.

“We’re all vaccinated, and we’re keeping distance. Now we’re playing it by ear,” Mr. Brockway said. “I think every restaurant owner would agree, we’re all just trying to figure out what the right, polite, responsible thing is to do.”

Mr. Brockway said most of his employees chose to continue wearing a mask, and he ensured they were all vaccinated against the virus.

Ms. States said Planet Fitness clients have been pretty upfront about when they will be fully vaccinated to go without a mask, adding some will prefer to keep it on for now.

“There’s been a lot of honesty,” “she said. People have said when they are getting their second dose so they know when they can take the mask off or have told us they haven’t gotten it yet. Just from the conversations we’ve had with the members I think we should be pretty good.”

Current guidelines

There are still some facilities that will require masks regardless of vaccination status such as public transportation buses, Paratransit, taxi and ride-sharing services. Masks are still necessary for patients, staff and visitors in health care facilities.

For long-term care facilities, no mask is needed if the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated and in a private area. In all other areas they are still required for staff and visitors. Masks are still required in all state facilities.

Since children under the age of 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, masks are required in schools and for staff, parents, visitors and students in kindergarten and above for child care facilities.

Only 38.7% of Delawareans are fully vaccinated — meaning two weeks have passed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine—according to the state’s tracker.

The City of Rehoboth and Delaware Division of Public Health partnered to open a day-long vaccination clinic at the Convention Center on the first day of the state’s relaxed mask mandates. Anyone above the age of 12 could get a shot at the vaccination drive, with no pre-registration required.

“We’ll be doing lots more community-focused events like this one throughout the summer, which you can follow on the state department of health’s website,” said Sharon Smith, community relations officer for DPH.