[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/holiday-christmas-covid19-safety\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/holiday-christmas-covid19-safety\/","headline":"The Holiday Season and COVID-19: Safety Guidelines to Keep Families Healthy","name":"The Holiday Season and COVID-19: Safety Guidelines to Keep Families Healthy","description":"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday season may look different in 2020. Find out ways to limit the risk of COVID-19 while celebrating the holidays.","datePublished":"2020-11-16","dateModified":"2022-06-16","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Christmas-II.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Christmas-II.jpg","height":327,"width":758},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/holiday-christmas-covid19-safety\/","about":["COVID-19","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":1156,"keywords":["COVID-19","holiday season","holidays"],"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0Updated Nov. 23, 2020The holiday season is a time for travel and get-togethers with family, friends, and others. But your usual activities may need to be adjusted this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has caused millions of illnesses and nearly a quarter million deaths in the United States in 2020. Efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 have meant a change in everyday habits like working, going to school, and even running errands.Read on for how you can still celebrate the holidays amid COVID-19.High-Risk Holiday ActivitiesThe coronavirus most commonly spreads through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice, droplets are released and can be inhaled by anyone nearby, potentially infecting them.SARS-CoV-2 spreads more easily in large gatherings among people who are not members of your household, especially if people are not wearing facemasks. The virus spreads more easily indoors but can spread outdoors as well.People celebrating the holiday season traditionally engage in activities that would be classified as higher-risk for COVID-19 transmission. Activities to avoid include:Shopping in crowded malls or stores, particularly on Black FridayJoining in “Turkey Trots” or other races with large numbers of participantsPlaying “Turkey Bowl” football games, which can include close contact with people who are not members of your householdAttending holiday paradesGoing to in-person holiday parties or other large gatherings of people from outside your household, particularly without masking and social distancingVisiting Santa in person at malls or community eventsYou should avoid these activities this holiday season. When you do go out in public, it’s important to take steps to avoid getting infected.\u201cAny time you visit public establishments, every family member over the age of 2 should wear a mask over their mouth and nose, stay at least six feet apart from people outside of the family group, and wash their hands often,” says Megan Freeman, MD, fellow, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Celebrating the Holidays Safely Amid COVID-19It’s important to take preventive steps at all times to limit the spread of COVID-19. That includes wearing facemasks, practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene, and cleaning and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.Update: On Nov. 18, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health updated its universal mask requirements.\u00a0Under the new requirements, people 2 years old and above must wear face coverings at all times indoors when with people who are not members of their own household. They must also wear face coverings when outdoors and unable to consistently maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing.To comply with the current Pennsylvania requirements, people over the age of 2 years old must wear a facemask both in public and at any gathering of people from different households. They must wear the facemask at all times indoors and at all times outdoors when unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing. Exceptions can be found under Section 3B of the order.To limit spread of the coronavirus, avoid large gatherings of people who are not members of your household.Some lower-risk holiday celebrations can include:Holiday dinners with people from your own householdVirtual get-togethers with friends and familyShopping online instead of in stores, or planning your outings in advance to avoid crowdsVirtual visits with SantaWatching sporting events, holiday movies, and parades from homeDecorating your homeViewing your community’s holiday lights with members of your householdListening to holiday music with members of your householdIf you do host people who are not members of your household for a holiday celebration, keep the gathering as small as possible. Consider gathering outdoors \u2014 and if you stay indoors, keep the windows open. Wear facemasks and encourage social distancing and hand hygiene. If you’re providing food, avoid serving a buffet-style meal.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also outlines moderate-risk activities. Those include:Hosting a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your communityVisiting pumpkin patches and orchards, as long as facemasks, hand hygiene, and social distancing are observedAttending small outdoor sporting events if safety precautions are observed\u201cEveryone wants the holiday season to be a joyous time, and celebrating with family and friends is important,” says Graham Snyder, MD, medical director, Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology at UPMC.\u201cThis year, because of the pandemic, we have to find creative ways to enjoy time with loved ones without spreading COVID-19. Otherwise, the joy of the holidays will be marred by a more extensive spread of illness.”Holiday Travel During COVID-19Many people travel during the holidays, but it might not be the best plan this year.According to the CDC, travel increases the risk of COVID-19 spread. Many methods of travel expose you to people who are not members of your household. Staying home is the best way to prevent COVID-19 spread.If you are traveling, take time to check the community spread levels of COVID-19 where you are traveling from and at your destination. Be sure to check local or state regulations for your destination, and consider a 14-day quarantine before and after your trip.Do not travel if you are sick, you’ve been sick within the last 14 days, or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Also, do not travel with people who are sick.While traveling, here are preventive methods to help limit your risk:Facemasks: The CDC recommends people over age 2 wear facemasks in public. Many states, including Pennsylvania, have mask requirements in public places.Social distancing: Try to maintain six feet of distance from people who are not members of your household. This includes ticket lines, seating areas, and more.Hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact in airplane and bus terminals, gas stations, and more. Use soap and water and scrub for 20 seconds before rinsing. If soap and water are unavailable, substitute a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Consider carrying hand sanitizer with you while traveling.SourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19: Holiday Celebrations. LinkCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic. LinkJorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, The Holidays Are Coming. Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Mean You Should Skip Even Small Family Gatherings? What Experts Say. LinkTODAY, How to Safely Celebrate Thanksgiving Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic. Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Holiday Season and COVID-19: Safety Guidelines to Keep Families Healthy","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/holiday-christmas-covid19-safety\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]