Staying COVID safe during the holiday season

The Holidays are here, and we are once again seeing an uptick in cases of COVID-19. Whilst rules and regulations regarding COVID-19 have relaxed it is still important to observe basic COVID-19 safety measures to help stop the spread and keep our families, friends and colleagues safe.

Even if most of us are fully vaccinated and received our booster(s) – it is still advisable to follow these basic COVID-19 prevention measures.

Vaccination

Vaccination remains our most effective tool in reducing the risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Whilst the vaccine might not protect you from getting infected, it will reduce your symptoms and the risk of passing the virus on to others.

There are new vaccines available now that target the current most prevalent strain of the virus. The Australian Government is advising that all adults are eligible for the vaccine if it has been six months since your last infection or last booster dose.

For more information on COVID vaccines and booster eligibility, please visit:

• https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated
• https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

Hygiene

Apply general infection prevention measures such as covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and remember to practise good hand hygiene.

Masks

Wear a mask in crowded indoor places, including on public transport, or where you can’t socially distance.

Ventilation

If you are meeting indoors, make sure that the place is well ventilated. This reduces the risk of COVID spread.

Testing

If you experience cold and flu like symptoms or feel unwell it is advisable to do a Rapid Antigen Test, if this test turns out negative but symptoms persist, speak to your doctor about doing a PCR test to rule out COVID before travelling.

For more information see: What COVID-19 test should I do? | NSW Government

Isolate

Whilst there are currently no rules in NSW which require you to self-isolate if you test positive to COVID-19, it is still strongly recommended you stay home until your symptoms have gone and take steps to protect others.

For more information about managing a positive COVID-19 infection see: Testing positive to COVID-19 | NSW Government

Ideas for a Virtual Christmas

For those most at risk of serious illness or if you have tested positive for COVID, discuss other options for gathering, such as video calls or rescheduling family gatherings if possible. Ideas for a Virtual Christmas could involve singing Carols together on a video call, looking at family photos and sharing them on the screen, reading out Christmas tales or cooking together e.g., on FaceTime or Zoom. Dropping off food at COVID positive loved one’s houses, if you can avoid contact.

It may also help to proactively discuss this with your family before Christmas “What will we do if someone in our family tests positive or develops symptoms before we all come together”. Be prepared and have a plan.