The following is intended as a plain-language summary of rules during the COVID-19 emergency and does not replace the need to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Currently, the safest way to celebrate holidays in person is with members of your household. However, if you do plan to get together with others, only invite one other household besides your own.  Review the guidance for organized events and large gatherings, such as for social gatherings, catered events, outdoor performances and events, drive-in movies and events, and indoor live theaters, music venues, and movie theaters.

Here are some safer ways to celebrate the holidays this year:

• Host a dinner celebration with your household members only.
  • Avoid large crowds by purchasing groceries online or shopping during off-peak hours.
• Consider safely delivering meals and gifts to extended family members, neighbors or friends, in a way that does not involve direct contact (like leaving items on the porch or doorstep).
• Celebrate with friends and extended family over videoconference.
• Participate in car parades in which people stay in their vehicles.
• Organize games (for example, Easter egg hunts) to be held outdoors or replace them with less interactive activities.

Protections Needed

Masks

• Wear a mask whenever you are out in public unless you are far away from others.
  • Wash your mask in the regular laundry each day that you use it.
• Always keep your mask on when gathering with others, whether you are indoors or outdoors.
  • When at a gathering, only remove your mask to eat or drink when you are at least 6 feet apart from others outside of your household.
  • If gathering indoors, food and beverages are only permitted if your household is gathered with members from only one other household and if you remain seated at least 6 feet apart from them while masks are removed.

Isolate

• Screen yourself before you go out. If you have any cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, or new loss of taste or smell, get tested for COVID-19 and otherwise stay home and away from others.

Reduce crowds

• If you plan to gather in person at a private residence or at an outdoor space:
• Celebrate with your household or only invite one other household besides your own.
• For larger gatherings not held in a private residence:
• Indoor events and gatherings are limited to 15% of maximum occupancy regardless of venue size. Outdoor events and gatherings are limited to 20% of maximum occupancy.
  • Indoor gatherings not held in a private residence may not serve any food or drink.
  • Outdoor gatherings that serve food or drink may not have more than 100 attendees.

Handwashing

• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face or eating without washing your hands.
• If you have people over, make sure to offer them a place to wash their hands or put out hand sanitizer if outside.

Clean

• Wipe down any surfaces that may have been touched by guests with disinfectant after they leave.
• If children play with toys or crafts, disinfect toys, game pieces, crafting objects/tools by wiping with disinfectant.
• See CDC guidance for details.

Communicate

• Before you get together with others, ask what they have been doing during the COVID-19 emergency.
  • Have they been going to work or gathering with others?
  • Have they been around anyone with COVID-19 or its symptoms?
  • Are they feeling well?
• Talk about safety measures before getting together with others and agree on a plan.
  • Will you stay outdoors?
  • Will everyone stay at least 6 feet apart and avoid hugs, handshakes, and other contact?
  • Will you avoid food and drink or make sure to wear your masks immediately after eating/drinking?
• If you are uncomfortable with the plan COVID-19 safety, don’t be afraid to say so. Others will likely be thinking the same thing.
• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 within the past 10 days, stay home and follow CDC quarantine guidelines. If you do not have any symptoms, you may end your quarantine period after:
  • Day 10 without testing OR,
  • Day 7 after receiving a negative test result (lab-based or rapid) after day 5
• Persons who have been fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine when exposed to someone with COVID-19 if they meet all of the following criteria:
  • They are fully vaccinated, and it’s been at least 2 weeks after the last dose in the vaccine series, AND
  • They have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure.
• Vaccination is not 100% effective.
  • Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should get tested.
  • Anyone who is positive for COVID-19 must isolate according to CDC guidelines.
  • After vaccination you must still wear a mask, keep your distance, and avoid crowds.

See also:

• Order of the Secretary of Health Directing Building Safety Measures
• Order of the Secretary of Health Directing Public Health Safety Measures
• Guidance to calculate your isolation and quarantine period (PDF)

• Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive updates to your phone.
• If you have questions, call the Department of Public Health at (215) 685-5488.