CDC Issues New Guidance for Going Out, Gatherings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released new guidance on venturing out and meeting with others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group’s guidelines for going out detail considerations before leaving, including the level of disease activity in their community, whether their activity will put them into close contact with others, their own risk of severe illness, and travel to other communities.

It also includes a section on frequently asked questions, including details on what activities are safe to engage in, as well as detailed considerations and tips for specific destinations. These include the bank, restaurants, hosting gatherings, gyms, nail salons, libraries, and traveling overnight.

In their considerations for events and gatherings guidance, CDC offers considerations for individuals and state and local health officials for protecting against the spread of COVID-19.

The guidance includes a measurement of risk at various sizes of gatherings, recommendations for the promotion of healthy behaviors, the maintaining of healthy environments and operations, and what to do if someone becomes ill at the gathering.

“Because COVID-19 virus circulation varies in communities, these considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which gatherings must comply. Organizers should continue to assess, based on current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the number of attendees for gatherings,” CDC wrote.

—Michael Potts

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deciding to go out. Updated June 12, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/activities.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Considerations for events and gatherings. Updated June 12, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html