PLAN YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATED SUMMER
Being fully vaccinated opens up a world of possibilities for summer fun in 2021
If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, how different will this summer look than last summer? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are continuing to update their recommendations about what’s safe to do once you’ve been vaccinated. Here are a few highlights:
Getting together with friends and family
According to the CDC, people who are fully vaccinated can safely hang out with other people of any age who are also fully vaccinated. That means vaccinated groups of people can meet up in any setting, indoors or outdoors, without wearing a mask or social distancing.
Vaccinated people can also safely visit indoors with people from one unvaccinated household (this includes children) as long as those individuals aren’t considered to be at risk of severe illness.
The CDC is still recommending everyone avoid large gatherings — like big family reunions, large BBQs or multi-household birthday parties for the time being. If you do plan on attending a large event this summer (100 people or more), and you or family members are not vaccinated, the CDC is still recommending you wear a mask, even if the event is outdoors.
Taking a vacation
Traveling is a big part of summer for many people, and if you are fully vaccinated, domestic and international travel guidelines have relaxed. If you plan on traveling, you will still have to check regional travel requirements at your destination, but right now the CDC is recommending vaccinated people can travel domestically or internationally without getting a COVID-19 test or quarantining after travel. Again, be sure to check the testing requirements of your destination, as they can vary from the local guidelines.
While it is safer to fly once you are vaccinated, planes, airports and other major transportation hubs can still expose you and your family members to greater risk of COVID-19.
Resuming your pre-quarantine hobbies
If your favorite activities were put on hold last year, now may be the chance to pick them up again. Today, most counties across Washington are either in Phase 2 or Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Road to Recovery plan. This means many retail shops, restaurants, and indoor sports and entertainment venues are open, just at limited capacity. Once you are fully vaccinated, you can grab coffee with a friend, take the family out for pizza, attend a sports event, or just go shopping at your favorite store and feel more at ease. If you enjoy participating in sports, many events and leagues are starting up again. The Trust’s LiveWell Fit events are an excellent way to get outside and participate in local activities like fun runs, bike rides, and marathons. These events allow you to earn money towards your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) while spending time doing the things you love.
Getting back to a new normal
By getting the vaccine, you’ve helped slow the spread of COVID-19, but there is still more to do to stop the spread, so keep your mask and hand sanitizer handy a little longer. Thank you for getting vaccinated, doing your part and continuing to take the precautions needed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Now’s the time to make fun summer plans that involve getting outside, staying active and finding new ways to reconnect and safely engage with your community!
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