State health officials urging caution ahead of Thanksgiving
Image | Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Massachusetts residents are advised not to travel to states highlighted in red.
Thanksgiving is less than a month away, and with coronavirus cases spiking across Massachusetts and the country, state health officials are urging residents to limit gatherings to only people they live with or a small group of individuals they're regularly in contact with.
The advisory on Tuesday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health comes as coronavirus cases are rapidly rising again to some of the highest daily totals since May. The state announced 1,025 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the state's total so far to 149,361. Test positivity rates have also been increasing to around 6%.
The state is advising people at Thanksgiving gatherings to wear a mask when not eating or drinking, washing hands often with soap and water, and staying at least six feet away from others any time they're around someone they don't live with. Officials are also urging people to consider those around them who may be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions. Sharing utensils, food or drink, or shaking hands or hugging is seen as high-risk.
The Department of Public Health is also advising smaller and shorter gatherings to limit the chance of spreading the virus. Virtual gatherings could be a way of including family or friends without that risk, the department said.
Massachusetts also has restrictions in place that urge residents not to visit most states. Exceptions are largely in the Northeast and West Coast: California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington.
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