NEW YORK – The increase in COVID-19 cases in New York has alarmed not only Governor Andrew Cuomo, who said over the weekend that he expects the next two months to be the worst seen yet, but also to Mayor Bill de Blasio who during his briefing on Monday warned the community that they only have one chance to avoid a second wave.
The concern that case numbers will continue to rise, now in the 2% positivity range, comes as the holiday season approaches, where people may start to gather and travel more for celebrations, and with the arrival of autumn and winter that brings the cold. For the mayor, people have the power to avoid the second wave if they act urgently.
“We are in a new phase of the pandemic in our city and we must work very hard to avoid a second wave,” the mayor said during the conference on Monday. “This time we have an advantage because we know how to protect ourselves by wearing masks, creating physical distance and getting tested for COVID-19. Together we must fight harder than ever to keep our city healthy this fall and winter, ”he added.
For this reason, during the conference, New York City Health Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi shared a guide for people to celebrate the holidays safely. Both he and the mayor urge people not to travel during the holidays, and if they do, follow the New York measures for travelers where people have to quarantine for 14 days or, if they do not want to quarantine, take the option of taking the COVID-19 test before entering the State and repeating it after 4 days. Here the rule.
The guide shared by the NYC Department of Health to safely celebrating the holiday season includes the following recommendations:
Activities for the holidays:
- Organize a virtual party for any of the celebrations, from New Years Eve to Thanksgiving.
- Be creative and carry out activities such as giving Christmas cookies to the neighbor, taking precautions, watching movies of the season and even calling people with whom you have not spoken for a long time.
- Enjoy safer Christmas activities such as virtual parties, cookie baking, and outdoor gatherings.
Religious services:
- Conduct religious services online or abroad.
- Follow the biosecurity measures.
Meetings:
- The guide remembers that indoor meetings are more risky and that is why if possible it is better to do them outside.
- They advise vulnerable people to stay home during the holidays.
- Organize small meetings.
Travels:
- They advise not to travel at all during the holidays, however, if they do, they ask that they do it locally, follow biosecurity regulations, get tested and quarantine.
To view the guide complete visit this page.
– .
