Sonoma County Health Officials Issue Thanksgiving Guidance

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Health officials in Sonoma County and 10 other Bay Area counties issued guidance Monday on Thanksgiving holidays and travel.

Any gatherings should be "small, short, stable and safe," and ideally close enough to home to avoid long-distance travel, according to a statement from health officials in Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, along with the city of Berkeley.

"With cases rising around the country, and continued high levels of COVID-19 here in Sonoma County, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to keep our community safe," Dr. Sundari Mase, health officer for Sonoma County. "The best gift you can give to your families and friends this holiday season is safety. When possible, please celebrate at home with household members and limit travel."

The public can protect themselves by holding gatherings outdoors, wearing face coverings and keeping a distance from others who are not in their households. Don't forget to avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth, get a flu shot, and wash and sanitize hands often.

If a gathering is important to you, consider postponing that haircut or indoor meal to reduce exposure, officials said. Any activity outside of your home can increase chances of COVID-19 exposure.

Nobody should travel if they are sick, officials said. If you must travel, don't share cars with people you don't live with. If you must share a car, wear masks, open the windows and try to stick with the same cohort of passengers, officials said.

Airplane air is filtered and viruses do not spread easily on flights, but travelers will be spending time within six feet of others and around frequently touched surfaces, officials said.

While California does not require people to quarantine upon arrival to the Golden State, some state governments or countries subject Californian visitors to mandatory quarantine and testing, officials said. Check before you leave.

Consider which family members may be older or at higher risk of falling ill and remember that COVID-19 patients may spread the virus without experiencing symptoms, officials said.

Upon a traveler's return, they should consider getting tested three to seven days later, whether you feel symptoms or not, officials said. Monitor yourself for symptoms for up to two weeks.

But the safest way to celebrate is with virtual gatherings or at home, officials said.

People can decorate their homes, share a virtual meal, host online parties and contests, or deliver traditional meals to family members and neighbors. Visit a drive-in movie night, seasonal art installation or drive-by event, officials said.

See the full list of tips below:

Patch editor Courtney Teague contributed to this report.