Celebrating the Holidays: Know Your Risk and Stay Safe

With winter officially here, it means holiday celebrations are upon us! But what will our favourite festivities look like this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic?

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has outlined some great considerations to help keep you, your friends and your family protected during holiday gatherings.

If you’re hosting a holiday party, follow these guidelines:

1. Host outdoor activities vs. indoor activities, where permitted. If it’s absolutely necessary to host an indoor party:

1. • Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather.
2. Limit the number of guests, and those who are traveling in from other areas.
3. Encourage your guests to wear masks when they are not eating or drinking; provide hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes.
4. While it's advised not to have in-person gatherings with people outside of your household, if it's a must, consider asking all guests to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households 14 days before the gathering.

Check out more CDC tips for hosting gatherings.

If you’re attending a socially-distanced holiday party, follow these guidelines:

1. Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities. If participating in an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to attend an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, and fully enclosed indoor spaces. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather.
2. Check with the event host, organizer, or event venue for updated information about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and if they have steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
3. Wear your mask. You can also bring extra supplies with you for other party attendees (masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, tissues).
4. If you are planning to attend in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider strictly avoiding contact with people outside of your household 14 days before the gathering.

Holiday travel

Traveling is a high-risk activity during Covid-19, which means your chance of getting the virus, or spreading it, increases with travel. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Check out the following resources to stay in the loop when it comes to traveling during the pandemic:

1. Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2. Know Your Travel Risk
3. Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19

For more safety measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, follow these guidelines:

• Always wear a mask in public settings
  • Public transit, at events or gatherings, restaurants, crowded parks, or anywhere you will be around other people.
• Avoid close contact by maintaining two metres, or six feet, 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 on a regular basis.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Interested in more information on the Coronavirus when it comes to hosting/attending holiday gathering? The CDC breaks down low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk activities during our favorite holiday events.