Celebrate the winter holidays safely

As we plan for winter holiday celebrations, how do we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe given the continuing COVID-19 pandemic? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers valuable holiday guidance to help you lower the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is at home with the people who live with you. Travel and gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.

Consider other winter holiday activities

The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is at home with the people you live with. Here are some ideas for celebrating the winter holidays safely.

1. Host a virtual celebration with friends and family

   • Schedule a time to eat a meal together virtually and have people show their main dish, vegetable, or dessert.
   • Host a virtual “ugly” holiday sweater contest.

2. Gather virtually for a gift exchange or activity

   • Schedule a time to meet virtually to open gifts together.
   • Build gingerbread houses, decorate cookies, or make holiday crafts and decorations.

Everyone can make winter holiday celebrations safer

However, if you are organizing a more traditional gathering, or planning to attend one, here are some things you should be aware of:

• Community levels of COVID-19: Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, as well as where attendees are coming from, increases the risk of infection and spread among attendees.
• The location of the gathering: Indoor gatherings generally pose more risk than outdoor gatherings.
• The duration of the gathering: Gatherings that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings.
• The number of people at the gathering: Gatherings with more people pose more risk than gatherings with fewer people.
• The locations attendees are traveling from: Gatherings with attendees who are traveling from different places pose a higher risk than gatherings with attendees who live in the same area.
• The behaviors of attendees prior to and during the gathering: Gatherings with attendees who are not adhering to social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart), mask wearing, hand washing, and other prevention behaviors pose more risk than gatherings with attendees who are engaging in these preventive behaviors.

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Remember to always ...

Wear a mask

• Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19 to protect others and yourself.
• Wear your mask over your nose and mouth, secure it under your chin, and make sure it fits snugly against the sides of your face.
• Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
• Keep a spare mask in case your mask becomes wet from moisture in your breath or from snow or rain.

Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you

• Indoors or outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
• Remember that people without symptoms or with a recent negative test result can still spread COVID-19 to others.

Wash your hands

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing and before eating.
  • Make sure to dry your hands completely using a clean towel or by air drying.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.