As many of us begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, CDC offers the considerations to help protect individuals and their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19. We encourage all residents to click on the link below and learn what the CDC has to say about the risks in the upcoming fall months and their guidelines for a safe season:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

Reminders for conduct in the Common Areas of the Gallery i.e. the Clubhouse and the surrounding areas and amenities:

Social distance and limit close contact:

• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people you don’t live with. Be particularly mindful in areas where it may harder to keep this distance, such as the sport courts and the Fitness Center, the Billiard room and the MPR.
• Minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, do not shake hands, bump elbows, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet others.

Wear masks:

• Wear a mask at all times when walking through the common areas and around people who don’t live in your household to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
• Avoid singing, chanting, or shouting, especially when not wearing a mask and when within 6 feet of others.

Wash hands:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use.

Two more reminders from the CDC…

• Gatherings with more people pose more risk than gatherings with fewer people. CDC does not have a limit or recommend a specific number of attendees for gatherings. The size of a holiday gathering should be determined based on the ability to reduce or limit contact between attendees, the risk of spread between attendees, and state and local health and safety laws, rules, and regulations.
• Get your flu vaccine. Gatherings can contribute to the spread of other infectious diseases. Getting a flu shot is an essential part of protecting your health and your family’s health this season. September and October are good times to get vaccinated. However, flu vaccines are still useful any time during the flu season and can often be accessed into January or later.