COVID-19 and the holidays: How to reduce your risk

 

Planning a visit or end-of-year celebration? For many individuals, this time of 12 months is related to gatherings of household and associates, however the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the brand new Omicron variant elevate many questions on keep secure. No matter you’ve gotten deliberate for the approaching weeks, we hope the following pointers make it easier to and your loved ones get pleasure from a wholesome vacation season.

 

Be danger conscious

The extent of danger relies upon significantly on the place you reside. Observe steerage out of your native authorities and keep knowledgeable about COVID-19 transmission and vaccination charges in your space. In locations with low charges of COVID-19 transmission and excessive charges of vaccination, there’s much less danger for totally vaccinated individuals, however unvaccinated individuals, together with youngsters, can nonetheless be liable to an infection.

It’s nonetheless really helpful to proceed taking precautions equivalent to bodily distancing, carrying a masks close to others and frequent hand washing.

Totally different actions additionally carry completely different dangers. For any in-person gatherings, contemplate whether or not others within the group are vaccinated, in the event that they take precautions, and the place and for the way lengthy you’ll be assembly – assembly outdoors and for shorter durations of time have much less danger.

 

Get vaccinated

WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines are secure and have been proven to be extremely efficient at defending towards extreme sickness and dying from COVID-19. The vaccines additionally assist to guard these round you. No vaccine presents 100 per cent safety although, so it is very important proceed taking precautions to guard your self and others even as soon as vaccinated. This consists of carrying a masks, bodily distancing and common handwashing.

>Learn: What it is advisable to learn about COVID-19 vaccines

 

If you’re feeling in poor health, keep house

Don’t attend or host gatherings for those who or somebody in your loved ones is sick or has signs of COVID-19. Keep house, search medical recommendation and assist cease the unfold of COVID-19.

 

Contemplate any journey plans fastidiously

All journey comes with some danger of getting or spreading COVID-19. Earlier than you journey, examine if COVID-19 is spreading in your native space and in any of the locations you’re going.

Don’t journey for those who or your loved ones are sick, have any signs of COVID-19 or have been round somebody with COVID-19 up to now 14 days. Unvaccinated relations who’re at increased danger for extreme sickness (older relations, these with underlying medical circumstances) ought to contemplate suspending all journey till they’re totally vaccinated.

In case you do select to journey, attempt to keep away from travelling at peak instances. Test for any journey restrictions, stay-at-home orders, quarantining and testing necessities in your native space, and all locations you’re planning to go to. Be mindful, these insurance policies could change with little advance discover and your journey plans could also be disrupted. If flying, fastidiously examine the journey necessities of your airline service.

Once you return house, comply with suggestions or necessities out of your nationwide or native authorities, and proceed to comply with all the important thing precautions – together with anticipating any signs of COVID-19 and in search of medical recommendation in the event that they develop.

 

> Learn: Travelling with your loved ones throughout COVID-19
 

Take precautions whereas in public 

Listed here are a few of the key precautions you and your loved ones can take when outdoors:

• Keep away from crowded locations, confined and enclosed areas with poor air flow, and attempt to follow bodily distancing from individuals in public, protecting at the least 1 metre distance between your self and others
• Put on masks when in public locations the place COVID-19 is widespread and bodily distancing isn’t doable
  > Learn extra on masks ideas for households
• Wash your fingers often utilizing cleaning soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
   > Learn extra on handwashing
• Keep away from touching your face (eyes, nostril, mouth)
• Search medical care early for those who or your little one has a fever, cough, issue respiratory or different signs of COVID-19
  > Learn: Staying secure outdoors throughout COVID-19

 

Keep away from massive gatherings

Crowded, confined and enclosed areas with poor air flow and mass gatherings equivalent to live shows, occasions and events could be particularly dangerous. If doable, outside gatherings are safer. If you’re planning a get along with family and friends from completely different households, contemplate taking additional precautions earlier than you meet, equivalent to taking a COVID-19 take a look at if accessible.

 

Contemplate the wants of your family members

The COVID-19 pandemic has been anxious for everybody and many individuals might be anxious about being round teams of individuals, even their family members. If doable, attempt reaching out to your mates and family members earlier than assembly to see how they’re doing and to speak about any considerations.

Contemplate suspending any visits to unvaccinated relations or associates who’ve an elevated danger of extreme sickness from COVID-19 (older relations, grandparents, relations with underlying medical circumstances) or taking additional precautions when round them. This will embody carrying a masks, no matter your vaccination standing, and protecting youngsters at a distance from these relations wherever doable.

Each household has to take choices primarily based on their very own state of affairs. Take the time to elucidate choices and guidelines together with your youngsters – and why it issues.

>Learn: Methods to discuss to your family and friends about COVID-19 vaccines

 

Bear in mind, our particular person choices don’t simply have an effect on us, however the individuals round us as nicely. Keep secure and we want you and your loved ones blissful and wholesome holidays!

 

 

COVID-19 and the holidays: How to reduce your risk - lkblue