CDC Releases Updated Thanksgiving Guidelines Focused On Small Household Gatherings

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The CDC has released updated guidelines for celebrating Thanksgiving amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA CREAM – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released updated guidelines for Thanksgiving celebrations as coronavirus cases rise again in the United States.

The updated guidelines come as experts say small household gatherings have become a major contributor to the increase in COVID-19 cases. The first set of guidelines released by the agency ranked a number of popular Thanksgiving activities based on their level of risk.

The updated CDC guidelines include considerations for slowing the spread of the virus during small gatherings, but say they are intended to supplement, not replace, local health and safety laws and regulations.

ACCOMMODATION OR PARTICIPATION

Officials say celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses the lowest risk of spread during the holidays. Bringing together family members or friends from different households, including returning students, presents varying levels of risk.

People who organize and attend vacation gatherings are urged to consider the risks based on some of the following factors.

Community levels of COVID-19
Potential exposure during the trip
Meeting place (indoor or outdoor)
Duration of the gathering
Number of people expected
Behaviors of participants before the gathering
Behaviors of participants during the gathering

PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE

People who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who have been exposed to someone who has, should not host or participate in an in-person meeting.

Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 or awaiting viral test results should also refrain from attending events.

Potential guests who may be at increased risk for serious illness, or who live or work with someone at increased risk, should also avoid in-person gatherings.

HOST CONSIDERATIONS

The CDC has also included some considerations when deciding whether or not it may be safe to hold an in-person rally.

Hosts are encouraged to check for COVID-19 infection rates in their region and in areas where guests may live.

It is also recommended to limit the number of participants as much as possible and to allow people from different households to remain socially distanced at all times.

It is also recommended that the gathering be held outdoors, rather than indoors, as much as possible and require that guests wear masks when not eating or drinking. If you’re having an indoor rally, the CDC says to increase ventilation as much as possible by opening windows and doors.

FOOD AND DRINK

When it comes to food and drink, the CDC says hosts should encourage guests to bring food for themselves and their family members and to avoid potluck-type gatherings.

If you are preparing or serving food for guests who don’t live in your household, you should wear a mask, officials say.

Customers are encouraged to have a plan for storing their mask when eating and drinking. One person, who wears a mask, must manage the items to be shared and be the only one to handle these serving utensils.

As always, everyone is asked to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or to use hand sanitizer before and after preparing, serving and eating food.

TRAVEL AND NIGHT STAYS

The second iteration of CDC Thanksgiving tips also includes recommendations for safe travel and overnight stays.

It includes most of the basics, including wearing a mask, avoiding close contact with others, and washing your hands.

When deciding whether or not to stay overnight, hosts and guests are again urged to assess the risk based on location and mode of travel.

Overnight stay recommendations also include basic mitigation efforts like mask wear, social distancing, improved ventilation, and hand washing.

You should also monitor hosts and guests for symptoms of COVID-19.

POTENTIAL EXPOSURE

If you are exposed to COVID-19 at a vacation rally, the CDC says you must quarantine yourself for 14 days.

Watch for a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Consider getting tested for COVID-19, and even if you test negative or feel healthy, you should still stay home for quarantine for 14 days after the last contact with someone who has COVID-19.