The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving outside this year to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Their updated guidelines suggest Americans celebrate virtually or have their meals outside, The New York Post reports.
The public health agency’s guidance, which was first updated on Monday, gave a number of other suggestions about how to celebrate Thanksgiving safely.
However, if you do plan on having people at your home (this will depend on the rules in your state), the CDC suggests having a “small outdoor meal” with friends and family who live nearby.
The CDC states that the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to do so with people you live with. However, if you do plan on having people at your home, hosts should limit the number of guests they invite, and limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
“If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils,” the guidelines state.
It also advises guests to bring their own food and drink, and suggests wearing a mask and checking travel restrictions if you plan to travel over the holiday.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, said on MSNBC last week that Americans will need to make a “risk assessment” when celebrating Thanksgiving.
“You really need to make a decision,” Fauci said.
“Do I want to put that person at an increased risk by having people coming in from all parts of the country, usually in a crowded airport, without necessarily knowing if they’re infected, without having time to get tested or time to do quarantine?” he added.