12/16/2021
Another holiday season is upon us and doesn't look like COVID-19 is going away any time soon 🎄😥 With the rise of Omicron, we need to celebrate the holidays safely so everyone can stay alive to celebrate the next holidays ❤️ COVID-19 can spread at your gathering, even if everyone's fully vaccinated (COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe illness, but it's still possible to be infected and spread the virus to others).
Below are some tips to keep in mind for holiday gatherings - a layered approach is best:
• consider virtual celebrations 🖥️📱
• choose lower-risk activities when gathering with people outside your immediate household, i.e. outdoor gatherings or in a well-ventilated indoor space (windows open) 🪟💨
• keep attendance list small 📝
• refrain from attending if you are feeling ill 🤧
• get rapid tested for COVID-19 immediately prior to the gathering (use with caution though!) 👃
• keep a distance of 2 meters from other guests if not wearing masks, i.e. when eating or drinking 👤↔️2️⃣↔️👤
• wear a mask as much as possible, particularly when singing or shouting 😷
• regularly perform hand hygiene 🤲🧼
• use more caution if you're at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19, i.e. elderly individuals, people with immunocompromising conditions, people with chronic medical conditions, etc. 🏥
• try to limit your use of substances so you can make safer decisions and are better able to follow public health measures 🥂
• get vaccinated! Get your first or second dose of the vaccine if you haven't already, or your booster dose if eligible 💉🩹
How are you planning on celebrating? Wishing everyone a safe and happy holidays! ❤️🎁🎉🎄
Sources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/private-indoor-gatherings.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html
https://www.ontario.ca/page/celebrate-safely-during-covid-19
