We all want to get together and celebrate the holidays with the same traditions, food and loved ones. But we all need to sacrifice this year and make some modifications to keep everyone as safe as possible. Here is what we suggest based on the latest advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Have a virtual family gathering
The CDC recommends staying at home and enjoying immediate family activities or scheduling a virtual Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends online.
Don’t travel more the 3 hours away and stay in California and same town
The CDPH encourages Californians to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Read more here.
If you feel you MUST get together with others who don’t live with you, limit the number of households to 3, people gathering to 10-12 and time to 2 hours.
The more households and people that get together the more risk everyone is exposed to regardless of social distancing and mask wearing plans. When our families get together it is easy to let our guard down and forget about masks and social distancing. We all want to give and receive that hug. But we have to resist. Read more here.
Practice physical distancing, wear your mask and remind and encourage others to do the same
- Wear your mask except when eating
- Keep family units (everyone who lives with you) at their own physically distant (6ft or more) table
- Don’t share eating or serving utensils
- Wash hands often
Gather outdoors
COVID-19 doesn’t spread as easily outdoors so outdoor celebrations are significantly safer than indoor gatherings. (If staying indoors, open windows and increase circulation.)
Don’t host or attend gatherings if you are sick in any way and tell your sick family members to stay home too.
According to CDPH anyone with any COVID-19-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, night sweats, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, muscle or body aches, headaches, confusion, or loss of sense of taste/smell), must stay home and not come into contact with anyone outside their household. However, unfortunately COVID is spreading mostly from people with no symptoms.
Mandatory Rules from California Department of Public Health
California has issued mandatory rules that are required to be followed. You can read them here.
Follow up after any gatherings
If you had or attended any sort of gathering, stay in contact with your fellow party goers for at least 14 days to make sure no one has any symptoms or confirmed cases. If they do you and your family should quarantine and test.
Enjoy family time and have fun!
Even with these restriction we can still have fun, create memories and share our love for eachother. Before we know it these COVID-19 restrictions will be a distant memory. I hope you have a safe loving Holiday season.
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