CDC updates coronavirus guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The CDC pointed out in their newest guidelines that the safest way to avoid COVID-19 infection is to spend Thanksgiving with your own household.
• But if you’re celebrating the holiday with people outside your household, then take preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus.
• Family get-togethers are observed to increase the risks of contracting or spreading the virus, the CDC explains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its toughest guidelines yet for Thanksgiving, as cases rapidly escalate throughout the United States and multiple states have enforced restrictions ahead of the holidays.

“Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu,” the CDC said.

According to the newly updated guidance, the CDC stressed that celebrating the holiday with only the people in your household is the safest option.

But if you do celebrate with people from different households, then you need to take measures like wearing masks, staying 6 feet (2 arm lengths) apart and frequent handwashing, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In Canada, which just celebrated its national Thanksgiving on Oct. 12, public health officials have noted that family gatherings are partly driving an increase in cases as seen in clusters of new cases linked to family get-togethers.

The new guidance further advises that you bring your own eating utensils when attending a gathering. Other recommendations include: safely stowing your mask while eating and drinking; limiting your movement in the kitchen during food preparations and using single-use choices for condiments and food containers.

When hosting a gathering, the CDC suggests holding it outdoors with a limited number of people, but if the meal is done indoors, keep the windows open to ensure better ventilation. Prior to the party, hosts should also inform guests about expectations, disinfect surfaces and request guests to bring their own food and drinks.

Regarding travel, the agency strongly advises that it is better to stay home since travellers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces.

However, if you are travelling, the CDC urges that you check travel restrictions, get a flu shot, wear a mask, distance yourself and wash your hands often while in public places and resting stops.

The considerations come as increasing COVID-19 infection cases are being posted in every state in the country, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.

While numbers are low but rising in Washington, D.C., California, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, cases are continuously climbing in the 45 other states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.

State leaders have also issued their own holiday instructions and imposed new restrictions to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

California now limits residents to no more than three households to gather for no more than two hours while Rhode Island further lowered its social gathering limit from 15 to 10.  

Source: ABC News