Dr. Kieran Moore says celebrating Thanksgiving indoors and unmasked with a fully vaccinated group is “absolutely appropriate”. However, it is important to continue following good public health practices.

If you choose to host an in-person gathering:

• do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
• have the fewest number of people possible at your gathering
• use outdoor spaces whenever possible
• provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water
• open windows, if possible
• clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
• ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild
• make a list of guests attending in case your local public health unit needs it for contact tracing
• remind people of public health advice to follow during the event
• wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food
• have everyone wash their hands before and after eating

If you choose to attend an in-person gathering:

• you should not attend if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild
• wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the event
• consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

When to wear face coverings

Regardless of where you are, you can wear a face covering and physically distance if you feel it is right for you, especially if you or others are immunocompromised or at high-risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19. 

Indoors

When gathering indoors:

• with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, you may consider removing your face covering if everyone is comfortable
• with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance

Outdoors

When gathering outdoors:

• with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, no face covering or physical distancing is necessary
• with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccination status is unknown, you should consider wearing a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained

Celebrating Hallowe’en

If you trick-or-treat door-to-door:

• stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
• trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible
• be creative and build the face covering into your costume. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering. A costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.
• do not crowd doorsteps – take turns one at a time
• do not sing or shout for your treats
• keep interactions brief with those giving out treats
• use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats
• there is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats

If trick-or-treating indoors, maintain physical distancing as much as possible and wear a face covering, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.

If you choose to give out treats:

• do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
• keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you
• consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained
• consider including the face covering as part of your costume if you are dressing up
• give out only purchased and packaged treats
• do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats
• clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer

Recognizing Remembrance Day

If attending a Remembrance Day memorial event:

• stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
• wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or is required
• wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently
• consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

If you chose to sell poppies in-person:

• wear a face covering
• have hand sanitizer and use it regularly
• consider not selling if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19