Team Kentucky COVID-19 Guidance for Celebrating Thanksgiving

On November 10, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky Public Health issued Guidance for Celebrating Thanksgiving designed to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The Guidance recognizes that traditionally many families travel long distances to celebrate Thanksgiving together, but recommends families stay home this year, as “it’s the best way to protect yourself and others.” Specifically, with regard to Thanksgiving travel, the Guidance states,

“Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Avoid flying and if you must travel, be informed of the risks involved. Even if you aren’t travelling for the holiday, avoid activities like crowded, indoor dinners that are high risk, especially for seniors, immunocompromised individuals, and people with medical conditions. Consider fun alternatives that pose lower risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.”

The Guidance breaks down the holiday celebration activities into low risk, moderate risk and high risk.  The low risk activities include having dinner and watching televised sporting and other events only with people in your household rather than at crowded gatherings, delivering prepared meals for those at high risk or vulnerable in a contactless manner, celebrating with friends and family using virtual apps and technologies, and shopping online rather than shopping in crowded stores.  

The Kentucky Guidance also refers Kentuckians to the Guidance for Holiday Celebrations, including Thanksgiving, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on its webpage.

This Kentucky Thanksgiving Guidance is also summarized in a one-page slide titled Thanksgiving Guidance.