HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS WITH COVID-19

If you attend or host a meeting, observe the following considerations for meetings that bring together people from different households:

• Check the COVID-19 infection rates in your area. Based on the status of the pandemic, consider whether it is safe to hold or attend the meeting on the proposed date.
• Take all steps to allow people from different households to stay at least 6 feet apart. Guests should avoid direct contact, including handshakes and hugs, with other people outside of their home. If you are still attending or hosting a meeting, limit it to a maximum of 10 people.
• Organize meetings outdoors instead of indoors as much as possible. Even outdoors, ask guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
• Avoid holding meetings in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces with people who are not from your home.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors as far as is safe and feasible depending on the weather, or by placing central air and heating in continuous circulation.
• Demand that guests wear masks. In gatherings that include people from different households, everyone should always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and the nose, except when eating or drinking.
• Encourage guests to avoid singing or yelling, especially indoors. Keep music levels low so people do not have to yell or speak loudly to be heard.
• Encourage attendees to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Provide guests with information on COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps to be implemented at the meeting to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Provide and / or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help everyone stay healthy. These include extra masks (do not share or trade them with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. Stock toilets with enough hand soap and single-use towels.
• Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items, such as serving utensils.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any items shared between uses when possible. Use the external icon for EPA approved disinfectants.
• Use touchless trash cans if available. Wear gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of garbage. Wash your hands after removing gloves.

The more of these prevention measures that you put in place, the safer your gathering will be. No one measure is enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should consider making other plans, such as hosting a virtual gathering or delaying your travel.

It is important to talk with the people you live with and your family and friends about the risks of traveling.

If you decide to travel, follow these safety measures during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Wear a mask in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere you will be around people outside of your household.
• Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not from your household.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your face mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.

Travel can increase the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

At Residential Plaza we observe all local, state, and federal guidelines to safeguard our resident’s health. For more information on our assisted living services visit: www.residentialplaza.com