Important information about General Holidays and How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19

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As many people across the United States are getting ready for upcoming Fall and Winter holiday celebrations such as:

Navrati
Diwali
Thanksgiving
Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Hanukkah
Kwanzaa
Christmas
New Year’s
Chinese New Year’s
Birthdays
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Halloween
Dia de los Muertos

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers tips on how to protect yourself and your family during a specific holiday on their website – you can click on the link in the description.

CDC Holiday Celebrations –
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

Also it’s best if you check your local county and state’s website for COVID-19 traveling guidelines. It is important to acknowledge the rules and see what tips they offer to help protect yourself and your families, friends from COVID-19 during the holiday celebrations.

If you are attending an event or gathering, prepare before you go:

• Stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 , waiting for COVID-19 test results, or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• Check with the organizer or event venue for updated information about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and if they have taken steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Prioritize attending outdoor activities over indoor activities and stay within your local area as much as possible.
• Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy—for example, masks (bring extra), hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and drinking water.

Use social distancing and limit physical contact

• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people who don’t live in your household. Be mindful in areas where it may be harder to keep this distance, such as check-in areas, parking lots, and routes of entry and exit.
• Select seating or determine where to stand based on the ability to keep 6 feet of space from people who don’t live in your household, including if you will be eating or drinking.
• Arrive at the event early or at off-peak times to avoid crowding and congested areas.
• Avoid using restroom facilities or concession areas at high traffic times, such as intermission, half-time, or immediately at the end of the event.

Wear masks

• Wear a mask when interacting with other people to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus.
• Wearing masks is most important when social distancing is not possible.
• Masks are strongly encouraged in settings where individuals might raise their voices, such as shouting, chanting, or singing.

Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items

• Use touchless garbage cans or pails and cashless payment options when possible. Otherwise, exchange cash or card by placing payment in a receipt tray, if available, or on the counter.
• Avoid any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and condiment or drink stations. Use grab-and-go meal options, if available.
• Use disposable food service items including utensils and dishes, if available.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately before eating food or after touching any common surfaces like hand railings, payment kiosks, door handles, and toilets.

People who should not attend in-person holiday celebrations

People with or exposed to COVID-19
Do not host or participate in any in-person gatherings if you or anyone in your household

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others
• Has symptoms of COVID-19
• Took the testing for COVID-19 and waiting on the test results
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19

People at increased risk for severe illness

If you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, you should:

• Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
• Avoid larger gatherings and consider attending activities that pose lower risk (as described throughout this page) if you decide to attend an in-person gathering with people who do not live in your household.

If you have more questions or need clarification, please contact our front desk at info@dcara.org or 510-343-6670.

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Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#thanksgiving

SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html