COVID Safety Tips for 2021 Holidays

Nov 22, 2021

As the holidays arrive in 2021, COVID-19 safety is key for both your health and the health of those you will be celebrating with. Is it safe to gather for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years? Is shopping and traveling safe? Should I get tested for COVID? Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster? These are all great questions, and we aim to help provide some insight so you can make the holidays fun, safe, and memorable this year.

CDC Holiday COVID Safety Recommendations

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission. Outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

At HealthCore Clinic, we take safety very seriously. If you are sick or experiencing symptoms that might be COVID-19, you should get tested. Take our online symptoms test to see if you might have COVID-19, the flu, or a common cold.

COVID-19 Safety While Traveling During the Holidays

This year, an estimated 42% of Americans plan to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January, taking an average of two trips. This is our first holiday season during the pandemic when vaccines are readily available to all Americans over the age of 5. Traveling can be safe if precautions are taken such as getting vaccinated, getting a booster shot (if eligible), wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing.

Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.

• Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place. Follow all state and local health recommendations and requirements at your destination, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet (2 meters) apart from others.
• Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
• Do not travel if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or if you test positive for COVID-19.
• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.
• Travelers 2 years of age or older should wear masks in indoor public places if they are:
  • not fully vaccinated
  • fully vaccinated and in an area with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission
  • fully vaccinated and with weakened immune systems
• In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated like an outdoor festival or sporting event.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

Check the current COVID-19 situation at your destination.

Make sure you understand and follow all state, local, and territorial travel restrictions, including mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements. Check the state or territorial and local health department’s website where you are, along your route, and where you are going. If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents. Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.

Can flying on an airplane increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

Yes. Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

What precautions should you take after returning from travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Holiday Gatherings During COVID-19

The holidays are a fun time to be around family, friends, and loved ones. Taking precautions can make this a much safer time than it was in 2020. Getting vaccinated is the best defense against COVID-19, however, it is important to still wear a mask when gathering and to practice social distancing.

Gather Outside or Have Proper Ventilation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers hosting people for a small outdoor dinner or gathering as moderately risky, as compared to low-risk activities like a virtual Thanksgiving or dinner with only people who live in your household.

Plan mealtime for the warmest time of day. Fire up the grill and make the best of it by gathering during the warmest part of the day. Everyone should come prepared to hang outside, which may mean bringing a few extra layers and a blanket. If you choose to create a warmer space with heaters and a tent, make sure that at least two tent sides remain open. Remember: You don’t want to recreate an indoor space outdoors.

If you choose to dine and gather inside, ensure you have proper ventilation, practice social distancing, and wear a mask when not eating.

Set Ground Rules Before A Gathering

Set some COVID holiday safety rules upfront to help minimize risky moments. Beyond greeting etiquette, address mask usage, and also the level of precaution that’s feasible for everyone in the weeks leading up. Is self-quarantining an option? Can you limit unnecessary contact with strangers for 14 days? Does this make socially distanced socializing off-limits? What about grocery store trips? Let this be an open dialogue that weighs everyone’s comfort levels surrounding risk. And include concrete rules on what to do if someone at your gathering gets sick.

Be Mindful of Older Relatives and People at Risk

The risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, which makes decisions surrounding older relatives challenging. Have honest conversations upfront, so everyone understands each other’s risk factors and comfort level. And you may want to consider playing it extra safe. Would the family be OK with shortening the hangout and sending everyone home with to-go meals so that masks don’t need to be removed?

Don’t Let Your Guard Down Just Because It’s Family

Anytime you leave the house, there’s a level of risk involved right now. It’s also impossible to know exactly what everyone is doing 24/7. And that means you need to be extra cautious with anyone who’s living outside of your household. Be as careful with your family as you would with anyone else.

COVID Safe Holiday Shopping Tips

Holiday shopping will be different again this year due to COVID-19, but many retailers are ready for the holiday sales season! Many retailers will be offering Black Friday and Cyber Week deals online and in stores during events in November to help cut back on crowds and reduce the spread of the virus.

Shipping experts are recommending that you start holiday shopping early, even before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales begin, due to a record backlog of cargo ships in the nation’s ports.

Many retailers are also offering contactless curbside pickup, so you won’t even have to go into the store! Depending on demand, you may have to sign up and wait for a pickup time.

If you do go into a store to shop, practice social distancing while shopping – keeping at least 6 feet between you, other shoppers, and store employees. Keep your hands away from your face. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds when you return home.

COVID Test During The Holidays

We suggest getting tested a minimum of 3 days before a holiday gathering during COVID-19 and then self-isolating before traveling. You can help minimize the risk and spread of COVID-19 with holiday COVID testing and precautions. If you are already at your destination and you are unvaccinated, you can still get a COVID vaccine during the holidays. Check to see where vaccinations are available in your area. If you are looking for a COVID test in Wichita or a COVID vaccine in Wichita, schedule one with HealthCore Clinic.

Where to Get the COVID Vaccine and Testing During the Holidays

There are many places open during the holidays where you can get COVID testing during the holidays or a COVID-19 vaccine, including booster shots. HealthCore Clinic is located in Wichita, KS, and has the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available for anyone over the age of 5. HealthCore Clinic will be closed on the following days during the holidays of 2021:

• 11/25/21 (Thanksgiving)
• 11/26/21 (Black Friday)
• 12/23/21 (Thursday before Christmas)
• 12/24/21 (Christmas Eve)
• 12/25/21 (Christmas Day)
• 12/31/21 (New Years Eve)
• 1/1/22 (New Years Day)

Searching for “COVID Vaccine Wichita” or “COVID Test Wichita?” HealthCore Clinic is here to help! If you would like to get a COVID-19 test or a COVID-19 vaccine, you can schedule an appointment or come during one of our walk-in times.

COVID Vaccine During The Holidays

Anyone age 5 or older can get a COVID-19 vaccine from HealthCore Clinic. We also have booster shots and 3rd doses available. Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine appointment today, or we accept walk-ins at these times:

Pfizer Vaccine Walk-ins

Thursdays 3-6 PM
Adult, adolescent, and kids
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and booster shots

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Walk-ins

Fridays 9-11 AM
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and booster shots