The Town of East Hartford Releases Thanksgiving Travel and Gathering Guidance

Thanksgiving 2020 Guidance
Thanksgiving 2020

East Hartford, CT—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance discouraging individuals from participating in traditional Thanksgiving activities amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CDC, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is with people in your immediate household. Per the Governor’s order, private indoor and outdoor gatherings should be capped at 10 people at a time. Read more here.

If you decide to travel or participate in moderate and/or higher risk activities, please know your travel risk and visit the state’s travel advisory with a list of high-risk states here. As a reminder, the Governor’s Executive Order 9C  calls for the mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone entering Connecticut from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents. Please remember, travel increases the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. As many families begin to plan for fall holiday celebrations, the Town of East Hartford would like to offer the following considerations to help protect families from COVID-19. Please consider to participate in lower risk activities, including:

  • Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
  • Preparing 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 following Monday
  • Watching sporting events, parades, and movies from home

Please follow safety measures before, during, and after your trip or celebration:

  • Get your flu shot
    • Gatherings can contribute to the spread of other infectious diseases, such as the common cold and seasonal flu
    • Learn more about the different symptoms here and consult with a medical provider if you are sick
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings (i.e. on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere you will be around other people)

    Mask

  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household

          social distance

  • Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Get tested for COVID-19 upon your return

Please know, per the CDC, activities that constitute to being moderate risk, include

  • Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community
  • Attending outdoor activities where people use hand sanitizer, 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.

Per the CDC, high risk activities include:

  • Shopping in crowded stores around Thanksgiving
    Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race or sports event
  • 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 additional guidance on hosting or attending Thanksgiving gatherings, please visit the CDC website. If you have any questions about this guidance or would like to speak with a Public Health Nurse, please contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291- 7324. As always, please take care of yourselves, your family, and each other this holiday season.