New Holiday Guidance In CA: What CDC Says On Masking, Travel

CALIFORNIA — Thanksgiving, Christmas and the other winter holidays are quickly approaching, with families cautiously making plans and reservations for gatherings. The COVID-19 delta surge is still fresh in everyone's mind and no one wants want to see another round of hospitalizations.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that most Californians continue to wear a mask in indoor, public settings — even if they're fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The CDC advised all who are eligible to get vaccinated against the virus, "because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays," the agency said in its guidance released Friday.

The agency also recommends masking for fully-vaccinated individuals at holiday gatherings in communities with "substantial to high transmission." The good news is that California is the only state where transmission is considered moderate, according to Tuesday's CDC data. Moderate is defined as 10-49.99 new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days.

However, if you drill-down the data, most counties in California are still reporting substantial to high transmission.

The guidance represents suggestions to reduce COVID-19 risk for holiday gatherings. Mask requirements from the CDC, California, and county health departments extend to healthcare settings, public transportation and other locations considered higher-risk.

Here's what else the CDC recommends for holiday gatherings:

• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don't host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Here's what the CDC recommends about travel:

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC's domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone must wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

The guidance also includes the following special considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do not put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.