Your ultimate guide to COVID-safe summer celebrations
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It’s December! We finally made it to the last month of 2020. I think we all deserve a tiny pat on the back, because what a year it’s been.
There were the fires, the smoke, and that crazy hail, all before COVID-19 arrived and ripped the rug out from underneath everything, completely changing the way we live.
And while most of us are probably keen to see the back of the ‘C-word’, COVID isn’t going anywhere just because Santa is swinging past or the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s. (Although can we all just agree to never use the word ‘pivot’ again unless it’s in relation to that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S?).
It goes without saying that Christmas and New Year will be a tad different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate and enjoy all the things we love about the warmer weather and longer days.
Here are some tips on how to stay COVID-safe over the summer:
Be safe when you’re out and about
No month seems to get booked out quite like December, between the Christmas shopping, the Christmas parties and all of those catch ups with family and friends. And while you’re out and about, there are a number of things you can do to stay COVID Safe.
If you’re heading to a shop, cafe or restaurant and it’s looking busy or there’s a queue snaking its way outside, consider coming back later when things have quietened down, or try somewhere else.
If you find yourself somewhere busy, remember to keep your distance from other groups whenever possible and practice all of your other good COVID-safe behaviours like washing your hands, maintaining good respiratory hygiene, or staying home if you’re unwell. Avoid the group hugs this year.
And make sure you download and use the Check In CBR app. The ability for businesses to open up and allow more people into venues is reliant on the ability to quickly and accurately contact trace if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT, so make sure you leave your contact details with the business, for your safety and the safety of others.
Ain’t no party like a COVID-safe party
Are you hosting a Christmas party or other celebration? You’re going to need to do more than just ensure you’ve got enough drinks and dip this year.
Evidence shows that outdoor spaces present a lower risk of transmission of COVID-19 compared to indoor spaces, due to better ventilation and air circulation—so why not host your event outside?
If that’s not possible, then consider increasing the natural ventilation by opening windows and doors, or using fans or other cooling systems that bring the outside air in.
Make sure you clean down high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, switches and benches, consider having designated servers to reduce multiple people handling serving spoons and water pitchers, and think about disposable paper towels in the bathroom for your party instead of sharing the same hand towel.
This will help reduce the risk of things being spread this way. Also note the names and contact number of everyone attending your gathering.
It’s as easy as A-B-C
Over the festive period, you might be travelling interstate, and even finally catching up with family and friends you’ve waited many months to see.
While the COVID-19 situation around Australia is looking stable, you can keep safe by following the ABCs of COVID-safe behaviour:
A: Avoid COVID-affected areas. Before you go anywhere, check the COVID website of the state or territory you are travelling to, and monitor it right up to when you are heading off.
The advice on affected areas is changing regularly, so it’s best to keep an eye on things so you’re aware of the latest advice.
B: Behave in a COVID-safe way. Just because you’re on holidays, now isn’t the time to relax those good habits you’ve developed this year.
Wherever you go, remember your hand and respiratory hygiene, keep your distance from other groups, and stay home if you’re feeling unwell.
C: Check back when you’re home. Your holiday may be over, but make sure you monitor the COVID website of the state or territory you visited for two weeks after you get back to see if they had any cases.
Always follow the website’s advice about testing and self-isolation, and if you feel unwell with COVID symptoms while you’re away or when you return, get tested immediately and self-isolate until you get the result.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, the best defence against COVID-19 still remains to physically distance from other groups whenever possible, practise good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home if you are unwell, and get tested if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19.
By all doing our bit, we can all have a very merry and safe summer.
