COVID-19 Holiday Safety Guidance

This holiday season, enjoy meaningful celebrations with your family while also protecting your health. Since many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.

Here are safer ways to celebrate the holidays:

Generally:

• 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 attending an event at an indoor public space in Buncombe County, regardless of vaccination status.
  • You are attending an indoor event or a crowded outdoor event in areas with high transmission levels, regardless of vaccination status.
  • You or a member of your household have a weakened immune system, are at increased risk for severe disease, or are unvaccinated.
• Get tested if...
  • You feel sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • You are unvaccinated but plan to attend a gathering with people outside of your household.

If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations, regardless of vaccination status. 

Special considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

By working together, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health as well as the health of our family and friends.