Small and Large Gatherings | CDC

Small gatherings are informal and can be with family and friends you socialize with regularly, often at someone's home. They usually do not include long-distance travel. These social gatherings are more intimate with close friends and family, such as B. small Christmas parties, family dinners and special celebrations.

Large gatherings bring many people from multiple households together in a private or public space. These are often planned events with many guests and invitations. They sometimes include accommodation, event staff, security, tickets and long-distance travel. This can be conferences, trade fairs, sporting events, festivals, concerts or large weddings and parties.

Things to think about when planning activities

How many COVID-19 cases and vaccinated people are there in your community or in the community you visit?

• Use CDC's COVID Data Tracker to learn more about the situation in your community.
• If your community has many COVID-19 cases or few fully vaccinated people, you should choose safer activities.

What are the local and business laws, rules and regulations?

• Strictly obey all laws, rules and regulations issued by corporations and federal, state, local, tribal or provincial governments.

Where are you going?

• If you want to spend time with people who don't live with you, outside is a safer choice. You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 from outdoor activities, even without the use of masks.
• Good ventilation can help prevent you from catching and spreading COVID-19.
• Avoid crowded places where you cannot stay 6 feet from others.

who will be with you

• Have all family members 5 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Individuals who are unvaccinated and who are unable to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine (including children ages 4 and under) should continue to take steps to prevent disease.
• If your family member is under the age of 2 or unable to wear a mask, limit visits with people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, and keep your distance between your child and others in public.
• People with certain underlying diseases have an increased risk of serious illnesses.
• If you have someone or live with someone who has a compromised immune system or is at increased risk of serious illness, you can choose to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, regardless of the transmission rate in your area.

Steps anyone can take to make gatherings safer

If you're attending a gathering, think about the steps you need to take to protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19.

• Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

• Wear a mask with the best fit, protection and comfort for you.
• If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and are 2 years of age or older, you should wear a mask in public.
• In general, people are not required to wear masks outdoors. In areas of significant or high transmission, people may choose to wear a mask outdoors when in sustained close contact with other people, particularly when

• Testing before a gathering can give you information about your risk of spreading COVID-19.
  • Consider doing a self-assessment before meeting indoors with other people who don't live in your household.
  • Stay home if you test positive, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Stay home if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Communicate prevention strategies with the people you will be meeting with.