Tips for safe, festive holiday celebrations

Spread holiday cheer, not COVID-19 this season.

Holiday celebrations will need to be different this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the new year, it’s important to keep safety at the forefront of your holiday plans.

Here are tips to ensure you and your family have a festive and safe holiday season.

Keep it small.
Reconsider traveling and plan remote gatherings or safe gatherings at home with only household members. Both the host and guests should try to limit their activities and exposure during the two weeks before the visit; the best option is for the host and guests to quarantine for 14 days before seeing each other to minimize the risk of exposure.

Don’t let COVID be your uninvited guest this holiday season.

Wear a mask.
Wear a mask while preparing or serving food to others who don’t live in your household. Encourage your guests to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.

Watch your distance.
When greeting friends and family, remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and minimize gestures, such as hugs or kisses that promote close contact.

If possible, eat outside and spread far apart from each other. If it’s not possible to eat outside, spread out around the house and keep more than 6 feet apart during mealtime.

Keep it clean.
It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Encourage your guests to help maintain and disinfect high-use surfaces and consider opening windows in the house to allow fresh air which can help with the quality of indoor ventilation.

Additionally, before and after preparing, serving, and eating food, use alcohol hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.

Dallas County has issued additional guidance for the holiday season. Read it here.

Written by Anastasia Reed