The COVID-19 pandemic has made most go into isolation. With the upcoming holiday season, reconnecting with family and friends may be tricky. Consider how your plans can still happen but be modified. This will help keep your loved ones and community healthy and safe for the new year.
Small household gatherings are, in fact, a big contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. However, the CDC has provided guidelines to reduce the risk of spread. Please note, these are not replacements of any state or tribal health and safety orders. Follow the rules of your local community first and foremost.
High-risk activities
The list of high-risk activities is, unfortunately, endless. Travel is included on this list because it increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 significantly. Staying in your community is the best way to protect yourself and others. However, if you do travel, take precautions to reduce the risk of attracting or carrying the virus onto others.
Before you hop on the next plane or bus, check all travel restrictions. If able to proceed with travel, get your flu shot and always wear a mask in public settings. Remember to stay six feet apart from anyone who is not in your household. It’s also important to wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your mask and bring extra supplies like disinfectant wipes.
If practicing safety measures like the ones stated above cannot be done, do not risk it.
Avoid these high-risk activities as well if other options are not available to you:
- Shopping in crowded stores just before, on or after Thanksgiving
- Attending crowded parades or large indoor gatherings with people from outside your household
- Using alcohol or drugs that may alter judgment and make it harder to practice COVID-19 safety measures
For more holiday guidance, please visit cdc.org.
