How To Have A Very Merry And Safe Christmas In Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Holiday festivities and gatherings of 2020 will be unlike any other as we navigate through a coronavirus pandemic. Some Florida families are planning to celebrate with others virtually, and others might have a small gathering planned.

Whichever way you plan to celebrate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers tips to eliminate exposure to the coronavirus to help keep you and your family members safe. Below are tips provided by the CDC to help you ring in a happy and healthy new year.

Small Gatherings:

• Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19) poses the lowest risk for spread.
• Gatherings with more safety measures in place, such as mask wearing, social distancing, and handwashing, pose less risk than gatherings where fewer or no preventive measures are being implemented.
• Indoor gatherings, especially those with poor ventilation (for example, small enclosed spaces with no outside air), pose more risk than outdoor gatherings.
• Gatherings that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings. Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more greatly increases the risk of becoming sick and requires quarantine.

Hosting A Small Gathering:

• Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.
• Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. Keep music levels down so people don’t have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.
• Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people outside the household.
• Require guests to wear masks. At gatherings that include persons of different households, everyone should always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose, except when eating or drinking. It is also important to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not in your household at all times.

Food And Drinks At Gatherings:

• Wear a mask while preparing food for or serving food to others who don’t live in your household.
• Have one person who is wearing a mask serve all the food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
• Offer no-touch trash cans for guests to easily throw away food items.
• Change and launder linen items (e.g., seating covers, tablecloths, linen napkins) immediately following the event.

If You’re Traveling

• Check travel restrictions before you go.
• Get your flu shot before you travel.
• Stay at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not in your household.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose and mouth.
• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

Health care workers in South Florida told NBC 6 they’ve seen an increase in COVID-positive patients since Thanksgiving and warn people to be careful at Christmas gatherings.

“We’re definitely seeing more than we were a few weeks ago,” Dr. David Woolsey, an emergency room doctor at Jackson Health System, told the news outlet.

The Florida Department of Health said as Floridians prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, it’s important for residents and visitors to take precautions to keep everyone safe.

For the full list of ways to have a more COVID-19 safe holiday gathering, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Other holiday guidance is available on Florida's public health website.