CDC Updates Thanksgiving Celebration Guidelines

NEW YORK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidelines for how best to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

The new recommendation comes during a worsening around the country of the new coronavirus pandemic combined with the information that small household gatherings are "an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases," the CDC said.

Where the CDC previously ranked various holiday-related activities by level of risk, the agency now is saying the best way to celebrate the national holiday is to do so with people in your household.

"If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer," the medical experts said.

Those steps include wearing a face mask with two or more layers, staying at least 6 feet away— about two arm lengths — from people who do not live with you and washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and keeping hand sanitizer handy.

For people who are attending a gathering, the CDC recommends bringing your own food, drinks, dinnerware and utensils; avoid going in and out of areas where food is being prepared or handled and using single-use options for things such as salad dressing and condiments and disposable items like food containers, plates and utensils.

Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is more complicated, and Wednesday during a news conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcedthat parties in private homes in New York will be limited to 10 people. The exception would be, he said, if there are 10 or more people living in your home.

In spite of the parties in private homes limitation, the CDC said there are steps one can take to make a gathering safer.

The agency suggests having a small outdoor meal with family and friends, limiting the number of guests, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and items between use and having guests bring their own food and drink.

Since Thanksgiving in New York can be on the chillier side, the agency said that, if celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.

Additionally, the host of the gathering should have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.

If you intend to travel for the holiday, the CDC said to check travel restrictions before you go and get a flu shot before leaving. Keep in mind the influenza vaccine takes about two weeks to take effect.

You should also wear a face mask in public settings and on public transportation and stay at least 6 feet away from people who aren't in your household. Washing hands and using hand sanitizer is also urged.

If all of the above seems like too much or you feel it is too risky, the CDC suggested sharing the Thanksgiving meal virtually with friends and family who don't live with you and even sharing recipes that they all can make.

The updated recommendations from the CDC can be found at this website.