With Thanksgiving and the holiday season right around the corner, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has released guidelines around gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new guidelines, which offers advice on everything from hosting a gathering to food preparation, come the number of new COVID-19 cases has been steadily rising in British Columbia.
So, should you attend a gathering this holiday season? Well, the BCCDC doesn’t’ specifically answer that question, but they do say that when it comes to gatherings, whether it is inside or outdoors, they should be small, local and within “your social group” this year.
They also say those who are going to celebrate should consider doing it outside, if possible, either by visiting a heated outdoor patio or bundling up for picnics or a late-season BBQ.
Hosting a gathering this holiday season
For those planning on hosting an indoor gathering with people from outside of their household, the BCCDC recommends hosts consider keeping it small by limiting the number of people to six per social group, keep guests in well-ventilated spaces with lots of fresh air.
“Limit your time indoors together – the less time you spend in a confined space together, the better. For example, consider offering ‘just dessert’ rather than a long meal,” says the BCCDC.
Hosts should check with guests before they arrive to ensure they are not sick or have had recent contact with an infected person.
It’s also recommended that hosts limit the amount of time people spend indoors, encourage “non-contact greetings such as elbow bumps or waves” in order to limit physical contact, and make sure guests have a place for guests to wash their hands.
BCCDC also recommends hosts keep the music low so people don’t need to talk loudly, and that they consider the impact “alcohol and substance use” can have on maintaining physical distancing.
Attending a gathering
For those attending a gathering, the BCCDC recommends individuals respect physical distancing, wash your hands often or bring hand sanitizer, use “good respiratory etiquette” and wear a mask when asked.
“If you need to pass someone in a tight space, like a hallway or on stairs, try to pass them quickly or wait until they are gone before you enter hallways or stairs,” adds the BCCDC.
And if you’re one of those people who don’t like your inlaws cooking, you’re in luck this year because the BCCDC recommends guests bring their own food and drinks.
Food preparation
Food is a big part of Thanksgiving or any other holiday celebration for that matter and although the BCCDC says there is no evidence that the coronavirus is spread from eating food that was cooked or prepared by someone else, people should avoid cooking for others if they are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.
“Use good hygiene practices when cooking and remember to wash your hands,” says the BCCDC.
For hosts serving or preparing food this holiday season, the BCCDC recommends they ask guests to wash their hands or use sanitizer before food is served and consider “having only one person plate meals instead of having a buffet service.”
“For shared snacks, hors d’oeuvres, candy, nuts or finger foods, provide guests with utensils, plates and napkins so they can have their own servings,” says the BCCDC.
Instead of having everyone use the same spoon, fork, knives or utensil to grab food, the BCCDC recommends serve themselves with their own clean cutlery.
They also recommend people don’t share “anything that has been in their mouth” and that hosts should seat guests “as far apart as possible.”
“Consider assigning seats based on household or social groups,” BCCDC says.
Celebration activities
Singing and dancing are a part of many celebrations during the holiday season and the BCCDC says those who are planning on doing those activities should reconsider if it is indoors.
“These can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19,” says BCCDC.
However, they also say if the activities are important, they should be held outdoors and dancing should be kept to “those within your small social group.”
Lastly, the BCCDC says while it is unlikely wrapping paper can transfer COVID-19, people should still wash their hands after giving or receiving a gift.
For more information and the complete list of recommendations and guidelines visit here. Additional information about COVID-19 and food safety can be found here.
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