10 Things You Need to Know Before Having Company Over

Time was, throwing summertime barbecues and pool parties simply meant making sure you had enough food, ice, and charcoal to entertain your crowd. Now, everything is a lot more complicated—including whether or not it’s even safe to entertain at all. Medical realities and risks differ by locality, and they seem to change daily. To protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 transmission, always follow the latest local guidelines regarding group activities. If your area states that there should be no gatherings of any size, don’t invite folks from outside your household. If local ordinances place a limit on the number of people who can gather together, do not host a social event that exceeds that number.

Being in the fresh air can limit the risk of contagion. So if you’re craving social interaction, take it to your patio or head to a park. It’s particularly important, says the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to increase space between yourself and folks who you rarely interact with because you don’t know about their travel patterns or daily routines. How to obtain a COVID-19 test varies from state to state, but typically, anyone who wants a test should call their healthcare provider for a referral.

According to the World Health Organization, current evidence suggests that COVID-19 is transmitted mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets. Droplets spread through sneezing, coughing, and close contact. A mask acts as a barrier to those infected droplets. If you decide to socialize in person—inside or outside—a mask can drastically reduce the risk of transmission. If you’re the host, find a fun way to tell guests that masks are expected party attire, and have disposals on hand in case someone forgets. If you intend to hire workers (e.g., a cleaner, caterer, or repairperson), check the company’s policy about masks. If there isn’t one, insist that workers wear masks while on your premises.

People returning home to live with parents, as well as those who have been traveling domestically or abroad, may need to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return, depending on state or local government requirements. Until you are sure you’re not infected with COVID-19, keep your distance from people in your household—especially those at higher risk for complications from the virus. Postpone any social engagements with folks outside your household until after the 14-day self-isolation period.

Related: 14 Ways You Can Keep Healthy Without Leaving the House

Cleaning and disinfecting your home frequently can limit the risk of virus transmission. When someone enters your home, they might bring any number of pathogens inside with them, contaminating any surfaces they touch. Cleaning reduces the amount of dirt and germs on surfaces while disinfecting kills germs, including illness-causing ones. Check out the CDC’s recommendations for how to effectively disinfect surfaces.

According to the CDC, the risk of COVID-19 transmission via contaminated food is extremely low. You should, however, make sure to stick to proper food safety practices when preparing food. When enjoying food with guests, keep your distance to prevent the spread of potentially infected respiratory droplets. It’s also wise to use disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, and wear disposable gloves when cleaning up.

The devastating effect of COVID-19 on nursing homes across North America is impossible to ignore. But the elderly population isn’t the only one at risk. Smokers, people who are immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions (e.g., lung and heart disease) are at a higher risk for coronavirus complications. Even if you don’t fall into these categories, it’s likely someone around you does—including service workers. There’s emerging evidence that COVID-19 is affecting greater numbers of young people, including a CDC report that showed that 38 percent of U.S. COVID-19-related hospitalizations included people between the ages of 20 and 54.