The fall and winter months on the calendar are full of celebrations that typically involve gathering with family and friends for meals and activities. While these celebrations are not without risk during a typical cold and flu season, the risk is increased as we continue to contend with COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has resources for dealing with COVID-19 during the holiday months. Some of the highlights have been shared here:
Whether you are hosting or attending a gathering, follow CDC tips for planning gatherings. Below are some additional considerations for holiday celebrations:
- Outdoor activities are preferable to indoor activities. If an outdoor event is not possible, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.
- Limit participants to people from your local area as much as possible.
- Limit the number of attendees as much as possible.
- Provide updated information to guests about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
- If you are ill, do not host or attend any gathering.
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people you don’t live with.
- Wear a mask at all times when around people who don’t live in your household to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If you are planning in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider asking all guests to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.
- If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed during your celebration, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) for 14 days after the event to protect others:
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Consider getting tested for COVID-19.
- If you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you test positive for COVID-19, immediately contact the host and others that attended the event or celebration that you attended. They may need to inform other attendees about their possible exposure to the virus. Contact your health care provider and follow the CDC-recommended steps for what to do if you become sick, and follow the public health recommendations for community-related exposure. If you are waiting for your COVID-19 test results, stay home until you have a result, and follow CDC’s guidance.
Holiday travel and COVID-19
Traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. Use information from the following webpages to decide whether to go on holiday travel:
- Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Know Your Travel Risk
- Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19
If you decide to travel, follow these safety measures during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- Wear a mask in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere you will be around other people.
- Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.