Read Austin Holiday Activities Dos And Don'ts List Amid Pandemic

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Public Health officials on Tuesday issued safety guidelines as residents prepare for the holiday season amid increases in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

The recommendations follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, local health district officials said. While the guidelines do not represent additional rules or orders, health officials noted, they are strong recommendations for behaviors intended to keep the entire community safe to avoid the surge other counties are seeing in the state.

“As the holidays approach, it is more important than ever to show our loved ones that we care by keeping them safe,” Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden said in a prepared statement. “It is essential that we pick up new traditions that allow us to be emotionally close to our family while staying physically apart. It’s a challenging time, but if we all work to keep our loved ones safe, we’ll be able to celebrate together again in the future.”

Holiday Activity Risk Levels

Austin Public Health recommends avoiding all high-risk activities and being cautious with all medium-risk activities to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. "Celebrating virtually or with members of your household is the best option this holiday season, but if you still choose to gather traditionally, follow the below guidance to do so safely," health officials said.

Low-Risk Activities

• Celebrating with members of your household.
• Decorating your living space.

• Hosting a virtual gathering with friends and family.
• Preparing traditional recipes and delivering them in a no-contact manner.
• Watching holiday-themed movies or shows.

Medium-Risk Activities

• Hosting a small dinner with local family and friends outdoors.
• Attending an outdoor gathering.
• Visiting orchards and tree farms where hand sanitizer is used before touching objects.
• Having an outdoor parade or movie night.

High-Risk Activities

• Participating in traditional caroling or other door-to-door activities.
• Attending crowded, indoor gatherings.
• Going on hayrides with non-household members.
• Traveling outside your community for gatherings and events.

Do NOT attend in-person celebrations if you:

• Have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Are waiting for test results.

• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Or a household member are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Safety Measures

• Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities - avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, and fully enclosed indoor spaces.

• Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy, like extra masks and hand sanitizer
• Consider avoiding contact with people outside one's household for 14 days before the gathering.
• Minimize gestures that promote close contact, like hugs and handshakes.
• Maintain physical distancing and masking around people with whom one does not live.
• Avoid singing, chanting or shouting, especially when not masking or physical distancing.

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between uses.

"Health officials see evidence that close gatherings are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, such as flu," officials wrote in their health advisory. "This holiday season, get a flu vaccine to protect you and your families’ health."

For more information about COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information portal at the City of Austin website.