Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19

Family and friends are the heart of the winter holidays. Family gatherings, office parties, community events and festive gift exchanges make the season bright.

After several months of distancing and isolation, the thought of not spending time with loved ones and foregoing holiday traditions seems unbearable to many people. The desire to gather together is normal and certainly understandable.

Yet, medical experts and healthcare organizations are urging everyone to consider altering plans this holiday season. Sacrifices made this year may be one of the most effective ways to get those hugs and holiday meals next year.

Keep the below information in mind when finalizing your holiday plans.

Follow CDC Holiday Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines low-, moderate- and high-risk holiday activities.

Low-Risk Holiday Activities

• Celebrating in your own home with members of your household (anyone who lives with you and shares common spaces) and virtually with extended family; if you’re wondering, college students returning home from campus and friends or family members from different households are not considered members of your household
• Shopping online versus in stores
• Watching sporting events, parades and movies from the comfort of your home

Moderate-Risk Holiday Activities

• Attending outdoor community events, such as lighting ceremonies, caroling groups and sporting events
• Hosting an outdoor event for friends, family members and neighbors where minimal preventive measures such as social distancing, masks and hand sanitizer are in place

High-Risk Holiday Activities

• Attending or hosting large, indoor gatherings, dinners, parties or gift exchanges with people outside your immediate household
• Attending a lengthy indoor gathering, especially in a place that is poorly ventilated

Safety Checklist for COVID-19 Gatherings

If you choose to move ahead with your traditional holiday plans, add these items to your to-do list to help reduce the risk of you or someone at your gathering getting sick.

• Ask anyone who feels sick the day of the event to stay home
• Keep festivities outdoors; if that’s not possible, open the windows and doors to increase ventilation
• Keep sinks well-stocked with hand soap and clean towels; place hand sanitizer throughout the house or event area
• If you or someone in your household feel sick, cancel the event
• Request that everyone planning to attend has had a flu shot
• Require everyone to wear a mask (provide festive masks as a party favor)

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