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Health officials are discouraging large indoor gatherings with friends and family during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
According to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Holiday Celebration Tips.
Because many traditional holiday activities, like sharing a meal, could help spread the virus, MDH hopes people will choose activities that are considered to pose a lower risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others.
Without doubt the most important of low risk activities suggested by the MDH is dine with the people you live with, rather than traveling to see family and friends outside of your home. Other low risk activities include virtual dinner with friends and family, online shopping instead of being in person on Black Friday, and prepare your favorite family recipes for family and friends – especially those that may be more at risk – and deliver them without coming into contact with others.
Things like having outdoor dinner with a small group family and friends who live in your community and small outdoor sporting events are considered medium risk activities regarding the potential for the virus to spread.
MDH asks people to avoid high risk activities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These activities include sjumping in crowded stores, attending crowded races or parades and go to large indoor gatherings with people who don’t live with you.
As with any activity, MDH emphasizes that people follow basic health guidelines: stay home after in-person meetings if you’re sick, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay six feet away from those who are not. not in your household (see more tips below).
Traveling
State health officials and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both say traveling increases the chances of catching and spreading the coronavirus, noting that staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and protect others.
CDC lists flights with stopovers in the highest risk category, as well as to travel cruise ships and river boats, while direct flights or long-distance journeys by train and bus are listed as a little less risk. Meanwhile, short car trips with members of your household are listed in the lowest risk category.
When deciding whether to travel for vacation (or any other occasion), the CDC encourages people to take into account the level of spread of the community where you are from and where you are going, as well as if anyone. one you visit could be very sick if they contract COVID-19.
Those planning to travel for the Thanksgiving vacation, which during the pandemic-free years is the busiest time of year for air travel, can start planning their trip now.
On Monday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released some tips for travelers so they know what to expect at the airport as it has been so long since many people have flown. They include:
- TSA personnel and passengers will wear masks. As a traveler, you will be asked to momentarily remove your mask so TSA can verify your identity. Wrapping an extra mask or two can help.
- TSA requests that people stay six feet away online and TSA staff.
- Acrylic shield has been installed at all TSA checkpoints to help protect TSA employees and travelers.
- Travelers can bring a container of liquid hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces in hand luggage (this is more than the cash limit for other items).
- TSA has increased cleaning and disinfection frequently touched control point surfaces and control equipment, including bins.
Health guidelines for every day of the year
MDH has a recall list for gatherings of any type during the COVID-19 pandemic to help prevent the spread of the virus.
They are:
- Stay home if you are sick, have a higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19, or have potentially been exposed to the virus.
- Avoid traveling as it increases your chances of catching and spreading COVID-19.
- Keep gatherings small – indoor events should be limited to 10 people or less, while outdoor gatherings should have a maximum of 25 people.
- Organize gatherings outside as much as possible.
- If you are hosting an indoor event, open windows and / or doors to allow air to circulate.
- Wear a mask whenever you meet with people you don’t live with – this goes for indoor and outdoor meetings.
- Encourage people to bring their own food and drinks – don’t share utensils or cups.
- Stay six feet from people you don’t live with.
- Remember who you got together with – keep a guest list in case someone does contract COVID-19. This will be helpful if the health department calls in their efforts to contact trace.
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