Spread joy this holiday season, not COVID-19. 

This holiday season will not be normal. For a fun holiday, adjust your expectations. Plan new COVID-safe traditions, and adapt your family’s existing traditions to a COVID-19 reality.

Keep your plans flexible. Stay home if you feel unwell, and know that COVID-19 guidelines may change. No matter how you celebrate, follow public health guidelines. Wash your hands frequently, clean frequently-touched surfaces, keep a physical distance of 2 meters from people you don’t live with, and wear a mask when physical distancing isn’t possible.

Dinners, gatherings, and holiday activities

GATHER INDOORS EXCLUSIVELY WITH YOUR HOUSEHOLD

The safest way to spend the holidays this year is by only celebrating in person with the people you live with and celebrating virtually with everyone else. If you live alone, consider exclusively celebrating with one other household.

 

GATHER VIRTUALLY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Virtual gatherings are the safest way to celebrate with family and friends outside your household.

If you decide to gather with another household, you can lower your risk by gathering outdoors, keeping a physical distance of 2 meters, and wearing a mask when physical distancing isn’t possible. Lower-risk activities include:

  • Visiting Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus or their elves outdoors and taking photos while keeping two metres apart.
  • Preparing traditional family recipes for family and friends, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.
  • Delivering presents to family or friends in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.
  • Going for a physically-distanced walk to look at Christmas lights. 

The fewer people, the lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Adhere to gathering limits and avoid higher-risk events, such as events that require removing your mask to eat or drink.

Consider participating virtually or not attending the gathering if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, including if you are 70 years or older, are immunocompromised or have underlying medical conditions.

 

STAY HOME. STAY LOCAL.

At this time, we are advising against travel outside of the district and strongly advising against travel to an area with more active cases of COVID-19. 

Travel increases the chance of getting COVID-19 and spreading it in our community. No one wants to be the person who gives COVID-19 to their family and friends. The safest way to spend the holidays is staying home.

If you need to travel:

  • Do not travel if you are sick.
  • Avoid travel to high-risk areas. Before you go, check the province’s COVID-19 framework to determine risks and restrictions in the district you intend to travel to. 
  • Self-isolate for 14 days when you return home, if possible. If you cannot self-isolate, then self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms develop, self-isolate immediately and call the Timiskaming Health Unit at 1-866-747-4305 for additional screening and testing arrangements. 
  • Self-isolate for 14 days when you return home, if possible. If you cannot self-isolate, then self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms develop, self-isolate immediately and call your local Assessment Centre for screening and testing arrangements. 
  • During your trip, follow public health guidelines. Keep a physical distance of 2 meters, wear a mask when physical distancing isn’t possible, wash your hands frequently, and clean frequently-touched surfaces.

For international travel, a 2-week quarantine is required when you arrive home. Click here to learn more.

Students returning home for the holidays pose an increased level of risk. Students should limit this risk by:

  • Self-quarantining or drastically reducing close contact with others for 10 to 14 days before coming home.
  • Upon arriving home, limit close contact with others, especially seniors and individuals who are immunocompromised or have underlying medical conditions. 
  • Households with an out-of-Timiskaming visitor should avoid gathering indoors with others.

 

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