En Español

Guide to Safer Social Interactions

 

If you meet with others, you can reduce your risk for getting or spreading COVID-19.

​​

Think About the Risk of Meeting in Person

Every time you meet with others, you increase your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19, especially if you aren't vaccinated. Consider the risk to yourself, the people you live with, and the people you will see.

​

Plan How to See People Safely

Outdoor Activities are Safest

  • Even if you are outside, you should still stay six feet apart.  If you’re not fully vaccinated, wear face coverings if you are around people you don’t live with.

  • Meeting people indoors is much riskier. Open doors and windows to improve air flow. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, wear a face covering and stay six feet from others.

  • Have cleaning supplies ready, so surfaces can be wiped down often.

  • Try to avoid using other people’s bathrooms, if possible.

​

Plan Activities to Minimize Contact

  • Hang out with as few people as possible. Try to only spend time with the same people.

  • Remember who you meet. If someone in your group feels sick later, no-cost testing is available seven days a week.

  • Avoid sharing food, drinks or utensils. Each person should have their own, if possible.

  • Limit the number of people preparing and serving food. Avoid serving food buffet-style or passing serving dishes around the table.

  • Avoid sharing toys, bats, balls or objects passed back and forth. Bring disinfecting wipes to sanitize anything that might be shared.

  • Avoid singing, chanting, or shouting.

​​

View more prevention tips for staying healthy during the pandemic.

The safest way to connect with others is virtually. If you do choose to meet with others in-person, it is safest to keep it outdoors, small and short. Consider keeping a list of people who attended for potential future contact tracing needs

 

State safety guidelines for social gatherings include:

  • Gathering outdoors ins safer than gathering indoors

  • Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people

  • Indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged and are limited to 25% capacity, where capacity limits exist, or 25 people whichever is fewer.

  • People from different households must keep at least six feet of distance from each other

  • Face coverings must be worn the entire time, except when eating or drinking 

 

If you are fully vaccinated and it’s been two weeks since your last dose, you can:

  • Gather outdoors without wearing a mask or keeping six feet of distance from others

  • Gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask

  • Gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19
     

After Your Meeting

Consider Getting Tested

  • People can spread COVID-19 without knowing that they are sick. If you aren't fully vaccinated, protect your family, friends and neighbors by getting tested.

​

What To Do if Someone You Met Tests Positive for COVID-19

If you aren't fully vaccinated:​

  • We advise people that have been in contact with someone who tests positive to self-isolate at home for 10 days since your last exposure to that person.

  • Monitor yourself for symptoms. If you start to feel sick, please contact your healthcare provider and let them know you are a contact to someone who has tested positive for COIVD-19. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call the Contra Costa Health Services Advice Nurse at 1-877-661-6230 option 1.

  • People can spread COVID-19 without knowing that they are sick. Protect your family, friends and neighbors by getting tested.​
     

If you’re fully vaccinated:

  • You do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.

  • However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home), you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.