In a recent call with U.S. governors, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield warned that small gatherings are increasingly becoming a source for COVID-19 infections.

Redfield said that, importantly, there is a higher degree of vigilance and mitigation steps in many jurisdictions. However, the spread of infection specifically through small household gatherings is currently an “increasing threat,” as the CDC reports that many states are seeing increases in COVID-19 cases.

Gathering Over the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, Redfield has begun to warn of the impact of small gatherings. Redfield stated, “with Thanksgiving coming up, we think it’s really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting.”

The CDC mentioned that there are several factors that create various amounts of infection risk at holiday events, including event size and use of mitigation strategies. In preparation for the holiday season, the organization has provided considerations for event organizers and attendees. These considerations are intended to supplement any applicable laws, rules and regulations, and are offered to help aid the general public in protection from COVID-19.

Hosting a holiday gathering
If you plan to host a celebration, follow CDC tips for hosting gatherings. Below are some additional considerations:

• Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If hosting an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to host an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather.
• Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible.
• Limit numbers of attendees as much as possible.
• Provide updated information to your guests about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Provide or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For example, extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues.
• If you are planning in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider asking all guests to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.

Attending a holiday gathering
If you will be attending a celebration that someone else is hosting, follow CDC Considerations for attending an event or gathering.

• 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.
• 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.
• Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For example, bring extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues.
• 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 for 14 days before the gathering.

Holiday Travel
Traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. Use information from the following webpages to decide whether to go on holiday travel:

• Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Know Your Travel Risk
• Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19

See the CDC’s full list of provided considerations for attendees and hosts.

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