Whether you’re a first-time visitor or home for the holidays, there’s so much to see and do in Philadelphia during this most wonderful time of the year. To welcome you, the Health Department is providing some tips to help keep you healthy and COVID free, along with measures you should take if you do get sick.
Stay off our naughty list
Be nice. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. Use soap and warm water and scrub for about 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and running water are not readily available when you’re out and about among the holiday rush. Wear a mask if you’re at high risk for getting very sick from COVID or if you’re in busy areas with poor ventilation, such as the subway or crowded retail stores. If you haven’t done so already, get your updated COVID-19 vaccine. It’s the best way to make sure a case of COVID doesn’t turn severe. These simple precautions will help keep you healthy and safe.
Fill your stocking with masks, test kits and sanitizer
Need masks? We’ve got you covered. They’re free along with rapid antigen at-home test kits and hand sanitizer. Pick them up at Health Department resource hubs.
If you develop symptoms or are exposed to COVID, you’ll need to test. Learn when to test and what precautions to take with our isolation and exposure calendar.
Planes, trains and Greyhound
If you have COVID, you’ll need to isolate for five days from the day you test positive or the day your symptoms began. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants you to refrain from traveling for those first five days. So, you might need to postpone your return trip home.
If you’re traveling by plane, contact your airline carrier if you’re isolating and need to change your flight. Your carrier will provide you with the most up-to-date information you need.
If you’re traveling by train, Amtrak is waiving all fees for any changes made by December 31 on fares that have change fees. A fare difference may apply for itinerary changes. Learn more from Amtrak.
If you’re taking the bus, Greyhound will allow you to change your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure. Learn more about that from Greyhound.
Once your five-day isolation period has ended, wear a mask for five additional days whenever you’re around other people, including when you’re traveling by airplane, train, or bus. Learn more about what you’ll need to do.
With more gatherings and larger crowds, there’s an increased risk of contracting COVID this time of year. Be sensible. Enjoy all that the season has to offer but take the necessary precautions to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe now and in the New Year.