NCCo travel ban lifted

While Delaware remains under a state of emergency, Governor Markell has decided to lift the ban on non-emergency travel in New Castle County. The ban on travel in Kent and Sussex Counties remains in effect.

While Delaware remains under a state of emergency, Governor Markell has decided to lift the ban on non-emergency travel in New Castle County.  The ban on travel in Kent and Sussex Counties remains in effect.

The City of Wilmington has also lifted its travel ban within the city.

“We very much want to get the economy moving.  We want to get life back to normal for businesses, for everybody,” said Markell.  “We’ve had to balance the safety issue and very much depended on the guidance of our emergency response personnel.”

And Markell says the advice he’s getting from in the state’s two lower counties is to keep the ban in place.

“The local law enforcement in Kent and Sussex have been quite clear that they’re not ready,”  Markell said.

The decision to lift the ban on travel does not mean all roads are safe or even passable. Drivers are still encouraged to stay home.

“This is not about encouraging people to go out.  It is recognition that were trying to give businesses some flexibility,” said the Governor. “A lack of a ban does not mean the roads are fully clear. We’re trying to allow critical commercial activity and travel on major roads as they become passable.”

Many businesses around Wilmington and New Castle County did try to open in anticipation of the end of the travel ban.   The Christiana Mall reopened at 2p after being closed Wednesday.  The first shoppers arrived as you can see in the video link below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH-3guFESc0[/youtube]