CDC Guidelines For Thanksgiving

Celebrating virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice this Thanksgiving. If you choose to attend a gathering, make sure your celebration is safe. In addition to the following steps that everyone can take to make Thanksgiving safer, take these additional steps if attending a Thanksgiving gathering.

- Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils

- Wear a mask and safely store your mask while eating and drinking

- Avoid going in our out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen

- Use single-use options like salad dressing and condiment packets

- Use disposable items like food containers, plates and utensils

Questions to ask yourself before you travel:

- Are you, someone in your hoosegows, or someone you will be visiting at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?

- Are cases high to increasing in your community or destination? Check CDC's COVID Data Tracker for the latest number of cases

- Are hospitals in your community or your destination overwhelmed with patients who have COVID-19? To find out, check state and local public health department websites

- Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Check check state and local requirements before you travel

- During the 14 days before your travel, have you or those you are visiting have close contact with people they don't love with?

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

- Are you traveling with people who don't live with you?

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's important to talk with the people you live with and your family and friends about the risks of traveling for Thanksgiving.

Alternative Thanksgiving Guidelines:

- Host a virtual Thanksgiving meal with family and friends who don't live with you

- Watch television and play games with people in your household

- Online shop

- Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involved contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch).

- Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and share with your friends and family.

credits: CDC