As people in South Carolina and the United States begin to plan for holiday celebrations, DHEC joins the CDC in offering tips to help you protect yourself, your family and others from COVID-19.
Who Should Not Attend In-Person Holiday Celebrations:
- People with or exposed to COVID-19
- People at increased risk for severe illness, or who live or work with someone at increased risk
Before and During the Celebration
Hosting or attending a holiday gathering
- Wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands, limit contact with shared items, and take other safety steps:
◦ Outdoor activities are safer
◦ If you host or attend an indoor event, avoid crowded, stuffy, fully enclosed indoor spaces
◦ Host or attend small gatherings with only people from your local area
◦ If celebrating with people outside of your household, consider avoiding people outside of your household for 14 days before the gathering, and ask all guests to do the same
◦ Provide or bring safety items such as masks, hand sanitizer and tissues
Holiday travel
Traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the safest choice. If you travel:
- Wear a mask in public
- Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not from your household
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid contact with anyone who is sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Get your flu vaccine
Getting the flu vaccine is more important than ever this year to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu.
After the Celebration
If you participated in higher risk activities in public or involving large crowds or think you were exposed at all, take extra precautions (along with those listed above) for 14 days after the event to protect others:
- Stay home as much as possible
- Avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19
- Get tested for COVID-19
Visit scdhec.gov/findatest for more information.