CDC advises against typical Thanksgiving gatherings as agency issues guidance during COVID-19 pandemic

Thanksgiving is a time when family and friends normally travel long distances to celebrate together. According to the CDC, travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC states that staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Here is a guidance issued by the CDC concerning Thanksgiving activities.

Lower risk activities

• Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
• Preparing traditional family recipes for family/neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others
• Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
• Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday
• Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home

Moderate risk activities

• Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community
• Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
• Attending a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place

Higher risk activities

Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving
• Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race
• Attending crowded parades
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household