How the CDC recommends you celebrate the fall holidays

(NATIONAL) Tuesday is the first day of fall, and while many people may be excited about unpacking their autumn décor, the threat of the unwanted guest that is COVID-19 still lingers. Fall holiday celebrations around Halloween and Thanksgiving are known to get crowded, but crowds are a big no-no as far as slowing the spread of coronavirus is concerned. That’s why health experts at the CDC have issued guidance on how people can celebrate while still abiding by health recommendations. Experts said if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not be participating in in-person festivities. Continue on for their lower risk activity and moderate risk activity recommendations and high-risk activities to avoid. HALLOWEEN Lower risk activities: Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends Decorating your house, apartment, or living space Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance Having a virtual Halloween costume contest Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house Moderate risk activities: Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard) If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags. Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask. Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus. 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 Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus. Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19: Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots Attending crowded costume parties held indoors Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Lower risk activities: Preparing traditional family recipes for family and 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 Playing music in your home that your deceased loved ones enjoyed Making and decorating masks or making an altar for the deceased Setting out pillows and blankets in your home for the deceased Joining a virtual get-together celebration Moderate risk activities: Having a small group outdoor, open-air parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart Visiting and decorating graves of loved ones with household members only and keeping more than 6 feet away from others who may be in the area Hosting or attending a small dinner with local family and friends outdoors where people are distanced more than 6 feet part Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19: Attending large indoor celebrations with singing or chanting Participating in crowded indoor gatherings or events Having a large dinner party with people from different households coming from different geographic locations Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors THANKSGIVING Lower risk activities: Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household Preparing traditional family recipes for family and 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 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 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 For information, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween