IL Holiday COVID-19 Guidance: Vaccines Will Make Season Safer

ILLINOIS — With Halloween almost here, and Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's right around the corner, the Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its guidance on holiday travel and gatherings. The takeaway: get vaccinated, then enjoy the holidays.

Travel safety considerations:

• Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated, or wait until you get a booster shot if eligible.
• If you’re not fully vaccinated, test 1-3 days before and 3-5 days after traveling.
• Travel during off-peak times to avoid crowds.
• Drive a private vehicle to reduce exposure to COVID-19.
• If using public transportation, try to travel during non-peak times. Masks are required on/in all areas of mass transit.

RELATED: Halloween COVID-19 Precautions: IL Offers Trick-Or-Treating Tips

Guests and gatherings:

• Keep indoor gatherings small.
• Arrange seating and other areas to allow for physical distance.
• Increase air flow by opening windows and/or doors.
• Avoid having people congregate, such as in the kitchen or at the buffet.
• Clean and sanitize the kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas used by guests.

Above all, public health officials say: get vaccinated.

"People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are at low risk of symptomatic or severe infection," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. "A growing body of evidence suggests that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to become infected and develop symptoms, and are at substantially reduced risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated people."

If you can't, or don't want to, get vaccinated, consider taking a coronavirus test before gathering with loved ones, especially anyone older, immunocompromised or unvaccinated.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said these holidays will be different — and better — than last year.

“Last year, many people held off getting together with family and friends during the holiday season due to the pandemic,” Ezike said. “This year, we have a safe and effective vaccine to help protect against severe illness due to COVID-19 that will allow friends and families to more safely celebrate together. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your friends and family, and your community, but there are other actions you can take to celebrate more safely.”

Last week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued similar recommendations. The nation's top doctors suggested trick-or-treaters go door to door in small groups, limit themselves to open-air haunted houses, head to the local pumpkin patch at off-peak times, and wear masks indoors or when physical distancing is hard.

If you get sick, follow CDC guidance by staying home and taking care of yourself rather than risk spreading the illness to others.