Is it Safe to do Activities?
The risk of an activity depends on many factors, such as:
- Is COVID-19 is spreading in your community?
- Will you have potential close contact with someone who is sick or anyone who is not wearing a face-covering (and may be asymptomatic)?
- Are you at increased risk of severe illness?
- Do you take everyday actions to protect yourself from COVID-19?
What activities are safer?
Activities are safer if you can maintain at least 6 feet of space between you and others because COVID-19 spreads easier between people who are within 6 feet of each other. Indoor spaces with less ventilation where it might be harder to keep people apart are riskier than outdoor spaces. Interacting without wearing cloth face coverings also increases your risk.
If you decide to engage in public activities, continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday safe actions. If you will be running an errand, follow CDC's running errands considerations.
Items to have on hand
- A cloth face covering
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible
Once you have decided to venture out, here are some questions to ask to help determine the level of risk.
Is COVID-19 spreading in my community?
Find out by viewing the latest COVID-19 information and a map of states with reported COVID-19 infections.
Will my activity put me in close contact with others?
Practice social distancing because COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with others.
It’s important that you and the people around you wear a cloth face covering when in public and particularly when it’s difficult to stay 6 feet away from others consistently.
Look for physical barriers, like plexiglass screens or modified layouts, that help you keep your distance from others.
Use visual reminders—like signs, chair arrangements, markings on the floor, or arrows—to help remind you to keep your distance from others.
Am I at risk for severe illness?
Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illnesses from COVID-19. While the risk for severe illness is lower for others, everyone faces some risk of illness. Some people have no symptoms, others have mild symptoms, and some get severely ill.
Will I have to share any items, equipment, or tools with other people?
Choose places where there is limited sharing of items and where any items that are shared are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses. You can also choose to visit places that share, post, or announce that they have increased cleaning and disenfection to protect others from COVID-19.
To answer other questions the update provides detailed information about going to restaurants, going to gyms and other activities.