Healthy Holidays

Get vaccinated. Mask up. Stay apart. Wash up. 

Recommendations for safer celebrations

Outdoors and indoors

• Outdoor gatherings and celebrations are safer than those indoors.
• Avoid crowded, poorly-ventilated areas.
• Increase indoor ventilation by opening doors and windows, to allow fresh air to flow.
• Everyone should wear a well-fitting mask that covers the mouth and nose in indoor public places.
• You may still consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings, and for activities where there is close contact with others such as outdoor sporting events or festivals.
• Consider using a self-test before gathering indoors with those outside your household, or asking others to self-test before joining your indoor gathering. Need a free self-test kit? Check here for locations.
• If ensuring all guests are vaccinated is important to you, communicate that, or include it in the invitation. It is OK to ask about this and to talk about the safety precautions you would like your guests to take.
• If hosting, sanitize all high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, phones, toilets, faucets, or sinks.

Suggestions for all occasions

• If you feel sick or if you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not attend or host a gathering.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Get tested if you have symptoms, or if you were a close contact of someone who has COVID-19. A positive test means you should isolate and avoid indoor gatherings to keep from making others sick.
• If spending time with people from multiple households, or if a member of your household is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated, you may still consider wearing a mask.
• Being in crowded places like bars, movie theaters, and restaurants put you at higher risk for COVID-19.
• Outside your home, stay at least 6 feet from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of severe illness.

What are other tips to stay healthy?

• Get your flu shot.
• Don’t drink and drive. Many cab and ride share companies offer free holiday rides to those who are unsafe to drive.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Consuming alcohol may make you less likely to follow COVID-19 safety measures.
• Minimize the time you spend in the restaurant, bar or concession area. The longer you stay, the more you increase your risk.
• Keep a list of invited guests to help with contact tracing, if necessary.

Traveling during the holidays

• Wait to travel until you are fully vaccinated. Do not travel if you are sick with COVID-19, have been exposed, have tested positive, or are awaiting results.
• Plan ahead by checking the state and local health recommendations and requirements for the location you are traveling to, as they may be different. If you are driving, make sure you understand and follow the local requirements, along your route, such as wearing a mask and keeping 6 feet apart from others.
• Plan to be flexible during travel, as recommendations and requirements may change.
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• If you are flying, check what testing, vaccination or other documents the airline requires.
• You must wear a mask in indoor public transportation settings such as airports, bus and train stations, and on public transportation including airplanes, buses, trains, taxis and ride-shares.
• All travelers should watch for COVID-19 symptoms, and if they develop, get tested.