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December 17, 2020 This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is at home with the people who live with you. Travel and gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.

A person is shown wearing a mask and washing her hands indoors.

Everyone Can Make Winter Holiday Celebrations Safer

Celebrating virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice this winter. If you do gather with people who don’t live with you, gatherings and activities held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings.

Wear a mask indoors and outdoors
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces
Wash your hands
Get a flu shot as soon as possible

Safer Celebrations Celebrating virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice this winter. If you do gather with people who don’t live with you, gatherings and activities held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings.

	Attending a Winter Holiday Celebration Celebrating virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice this winter. If you do gather with people who don’t live with you, gatherings and activities held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings.

A woman is shown with a written guest list in front of her and a thought bubble showing a mask and hand sanitizer. She is on the phone with one of her guests

Hosting a Winter Holiday Celebration

If you choose to have guests at your home, you can make your celebration safer by

Limit the number of guests.
Have a small, outdoor celebration with family and friends who live in your community, weather-permitting.
Have extra unused masks available for your guests and encourage everyone to wear them inside and outside.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.
Use a touchless garbage can, if available.
Cancel your gathering if you or someone who lives with you is sick or has been near someone who thinks they have or has COVID-19.

A family is shown indoors, holding presents, with a laptop in front of them. They are talking to other individuals who are shown on the laptop screen.

Consider Other Winter Holiday Activities

Schedule a time to eat a meal together virtually.
Host a virtual “ugly” holiday sweater contest.
Schedule a time to meet virtually to open gifts together.
Build gingerbread houses, decorate cookies, or make holiday crafts and decorations.
Drive or walk around your community to look at decorations from a safe distance or drive through a local holiday light display.
Throw a virtual dance party.

	Enjoy the winter weather, if you live somewhere with snow Hold a snowman or snow angel contest with neighbors or friends in your community. Build a snow fort or other snow structure.

Volunteer to help others in need Reach out to your local community service organizations to get involved and give back. Make sure to ask about their safety precautions in advance. Find virtual opportunities to contribute.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

As of December 16, 2020

In the United States, there have been 16,519,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 detected through U.S. public health surveillance systems in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a County View to help make decisions about everyday activities.