THANKSGIVING TIPS FOR APARTMENT RESIDENTS

Celebrating Thanksgiving is going to be a bit different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, there will still be turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and football. But the annual trip over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house should wait until it is safe.

For this year, the safest way to observe Thanksgiving is to stay home, and celebrate with people in your household. This according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, the CDC has recommended some steps to make celebrations safer. At Planned Companies, we wanted to share these guidelines with our condominium and apartment building clients.

These tips include:

• Ask guests to bring their own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
• Avoid having guests go in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
• Using single-use condiment packets, as well as disposable plates and utensils.
• Open windows if celebrating inside.
• Keep 6 feet away from people who do not live in your household, especially older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
• Limiting the number of guests. Many states and cities are either mandating or suggesting indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people.
• Ask all guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
• Have hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, readily available for your guests.
• Provide single use towels in rest room facilities.
• Check travel restrictions before you go. Many states are limiting out-of-state travel due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between uses.
• Schedule virtual visits with friends and family, using tools like Zoom or FaceTime.
• Restrict activities to your own apartment unit. By visiting with neighbors, you could unintentionally spread the virus.

Planned Companies is committed to the safety and well-being of the people who live and work in its client properties.