As of November 12, the Vermont Department of Health suggests limiting social gatheringss to 10 people or fewer, keeping six feet between you and others, and wearing a mask when you’re with others. Moreover, any non-essential travel to or from Vermont now requires quarantine. So what does all this mean for your COVID holiday season?
Because the infection rates are rapidly increasing, many Vermonters are forced to make difficult decisions this year. We all need to redouble our efforts to #StopTheSpread.
How GBICS is Handling the Holidays
Here at GBICS, we’re strongly urging our staff follow the guidelines proposed by both the CDC and Vermont Department of Health. That said, we still want our staff and volunteers to safely celebrate the holidays. That’s why we’re making a few adjustments to our hours on these major holidays.
The Kitchen Cupboard will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26th) and Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th). However it will remain open for regular distribution hours on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31st).
Meanwhile, the Free Clinic will be CLOSED for Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26th), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31st). Thank you for your understanding!
How you can stay safe this season
In addition to our local health and safety guidelines, the CDC has some great resources to help you safely celebrate the holidays this year.
Of course the safest COVID holiday decision any of us can make, is to stay home and celebrate with only those that live in our home. Like we said, difficult decisions.
While you’re preparing for this holiday season, it can help to talk it over with family and friends. A good rule of thumb – and COVID catchphrase – is “Six-foot spaces, masks on faces, uncrowded places.”
Ask those you plan to see:
- Six-Foot Spaces: Are people staying at least 6 feet away from each other?
- Masks on Faces: Are folks wearing masks if they can’t keep a 6-foot distance?
- Uncrowded Places: Is there enough space to spread out? Is there enough air flow?
Traveling is one of the fastest ways to spread COVID-19. However if you must travel, be aware of the requirements and restrictions of the places you visit and your hometown. For Vermonters, this means that all non-essential travel requires 14 days of quarantine upon your return to the state. (Essential travel includes travel for health care, parental shared custody, food, beverage, medicine, work and school.) Additionally, don’t forget your mask!
Some other helpful tips for celebrating during the COVID holiday season include:
- Limit gatherings to 6 people or fewer
- Consider outdoor activities like going for a walk instead of gathering indoors
- Open windows and doors to increase air flow when inside
- Refrain from handshakes, hugging, and other physical contact with those not of your household
- Encourage guests to wash their hands frequently and/or provide hand sanitizer
- Treat pets like family members – they should only interact with members of their own household too
- Try hosting a picnic or potluck where everyone brings their own food, drinks, and utensils
- If you are sharing food, one person should prepare and serve food while wearing a mask
- Most importantly if anyone feels ill or has been in contact with someone with COVID-19, they should stay home and quarantine
Just like you, we’ve been doing everything we can to keep our community safe this year. We know it’s hard to continue social distancing especially during the holidays. That’s why we want to thank you for planning ahead and helping to stop the spread!