This blog post is sponsored by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
The holidays of 2020 are unlike any other in our history. COVID-19 has changed so much. As we think about the holidays this year, please consider the following ways you can help slow the spread of this virus and keep your friends and family safe.
The safest option is to stay home and celebrate with people who live with you. Each trip outside risks spreading COVID-19. The more trips you make to the grocery store, gas station, or your favorite restaurant, the higher your risk of contracting COVID-19.
If you do choose to get together with loved ones, follow these tips to do it more safely. Check out our Safe Gatherings webpage to learn how. You can review restrictions in place until December 14.
Healthy Holidays Gathering Tips
We want you and your family to have happy and safe holidays. The best way to be safe is to keep the following in mind:
- Clean: Prepare your home in advance of guests. Disinfect surfaces guests are likely to touch. Clean your hands frequently.
- Be small: Limit the number of guests to 5 or fewer people.
- Stay local: Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
- Wear a mask: Anybody can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 before they know they’re sick.
- Stay separated: Maintain a safe distance of 6 feet between guests.
- Be sure your guests know the rules. If they are sick, ask them to stay home.
- When you gather, try to have touchless access to trash cans.
- After you gather, watch for symptoms.
Food Safety Tips
COVID-19 isn’t the only concern when hosting. We want to make sure everyone can enjoy the holidays and avoid foodborne illness. Follow these steps to protect you, your family and your guests:
- Don’t make food when you are sick. Stay home and don’t prepare food yourself. Have someone else do it for you or send someone to buy something already made.
- Wash your hands often. Especially after using the bathroom. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds. Remind your kitchen helpers to wash their hands often, too.
- Keep small children out of the kitchen. Kitchens can be a dangerous place for little ones. It’s also a dangerous place for cross-contamination. Remind everyone to care for children—including diaper changing—outside of the kitchen.
- If hiring a caterer, ask them for their catering permit. Splurging for a caterer can be exciting, but be sure you are making a wise investment. Only hire caterers that can show you their health department catering permit. They have the right equipment to make your food safely in commercial kitchens that we inspect.
You can find more tips on our food safety website.
Are you hosting? We recommend you have plenty of fresh air flowing where you gather.
Are you traveling? Make sure you have a plan in case you or somebody with you gets sick.
For more on COVID-19, go to tpchd.org/coronavirus.
We’d love to answer your questions! Send us a note: https://www.tpchd.org/i-want-to/contact-us
