CDC releases guidelines for celebrating Thanksgiving holiday safely

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its guidelines for gatherings this Thanksgiving. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others, the CDC says. If you must travel, be informed of the risks involved.

The CDC has broken down the guidelines into 3 areas governing lower-risk, moderate-risk and higher-risk activities:

Lower-Risk Activities

• Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household


• Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn't involve contact with others


• Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family


• Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday


• Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home

Moderate-Risk Activities

• Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community


• Lower your risk by following CDC's recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.


• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing


• Attending a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place

Higher-Risk Activities

Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, the CDC says:

• Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving


• Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race


• Attending crowded parades


• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors


• Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household

For more information about the guidelines, please visit the CDC online.