Celebrate Spring Holidays Safely During COVID-19 Pandemic

Spring has sprung! This means many holidays are quickly approaching – Passover, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Eid al-Fitr, Memorial Day, Juneteenth – the list goes on and on. With so many holidays worthy of large gatherings, how can you celebrate spring holidays safely during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

CDC Holiday Recommendations

The CDC recommends people limit in-person holiday celebrations to those that live with them. But, if you celebrate with others outside your household, the CDC suggests virtual events or outside celebrations with social distancing safety precautions in place.

At this time, the CDC favors foregoing travel plans. This is because travel increases the risk of contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus.

More Americans are becoming fully vaccinated for COVID-19 each day. Do they have to follow these guidelines for the spring holidays too?

CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals 

Vaccinations are being distributed to more Massachusetts residents each day. Accordingly, a return to normalcy may soon be within reach. Meanwhile, the CDC has released new guidelines for fully COVID-19 vaccinated individuals.

Individuals are fully vaccinated 2+ weeks after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Additionally, individuals who have received a single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine are fully vaccinated 2+ weeks after their vaccination date.

Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals may visit other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

Further, fully vaccinated individuals may visit unvaccinated people from a single household at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

In addition, fully vaccinated individuals should take precautions when visiting unvaccinated people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease (or who have a household member at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease) and unvaccinated people from multiple households. In these situations, fully vaccinated individuals should wear a well-fitted mask and practice physical distancing.

Fully vaccinated people should continue to avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings and continue to be cautious in public by wearing masks and social distancing.

How Can I Safely Celebrate and Participate in Holiday Traditions with Loved Ones? 

The pandemic has added an extra layer of difficulty to many things. Holiday celebrations are no exception. Here are some ideas, tips, and tricks for making the most out of a challenging spring holiday season.

• Virtual religious ceremonies – Spring is the time of many religious holidays. The CDC recommends participating in religious ceremonies and celebrations virtually this year.
• Prepare and deliver traditional food – Many spring holidays revolve around preparing traditional dishes with loved ones. Unfortunately, this activity doesn’t always translate well virtually. For example, video conferencing applications like Zoom and Skype may be difficult for older family members, like grandparents, to navigate. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, you can still include all your loved ones in celebrations by delivering homecooked meals to their doorstep. Go the extra mile by packaging food in festive containers and writing a heartfelt note.
• Order take-out from your favorite local restaurants – The restaurant industry has been struggling during the pandemic, especially smaller, local eateries. If you don’t want to cook a meal for your holiday celebration this year make a difference in your community by ordering takeout instead.
• Decorate your home – We have been spending a lot of time at home over the past year. Hence, if you’re not one to normally decorate your living space with holiday-themed decor, this may be the perfect year to start.
• Take Easter egg hunts on the road – Hosting a contactless and socially distanced Easter egg hunt for younger family members is simple. Have family members and friends place colorful pictures of Easter eggs on their doors. Drive around and spot all the eggs.

Have You Contracted COVID-19 at Work? We Can Help.

Employees who contract COVID-19 while at work may be eligible for workers’ compensation depending on a variety of factors.

Do you think you have a claim? Keches Law Group can help! Contact us today.