COVID & social life

Yes. The more people you’re with, the more likely it is that one of them might have COVID. That’s especially true if there’s a lot of COVID going around your community. If few people have COVID in your area, then group size doesn’t matter as much.

These questions will help you figure out how risky a large, private gathering in your area might be:

If the gathering is more risky, you can reduce your risk by:

• Being up to date on vaccines.

• Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask.

• Spending less time at the event.

• Standing or sitting farther away from other people at the event.

• Not eating or drinking at the event.

• Asking the host to consider moving the event outdoors or improving the airflow in the space.

• Asking the host to consider having the guests test just before coming to the event. For the best accuracy with rapid tests, guests would test two days before the event, as well.

If you feel that the event is too risky, it’s always okay to decide not to go. Don’t attend if:

• You’re sick with COVID symptoms.

• You've tested positive and haven’t ended your isolation.

• You’re still in quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID.

• You’re still waiting for results from a COVID test.

These questions will help you figure out how risky a large, private gathering in your area might be:

If the gathering is more risky, you can reduce your risk by:

• Being up to date on vaccines.

• Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask.

• Spending less time at the event.

• Standing or sitting farther away from other people at the event.

• Not eating or drinking at the event.

• Staying out of crowds at the event as much as you can.

• If there are indoor and outdoor activities, only going to the outdoor ones.

• If some activities require proof of vaccination and others don’t, only going to the ones that require vaccination.

If you feel that the event is too risky, it’s always okay to decide not to go. Don’t attend if:

• You’re sick with COVID symptoms.

• You've tested positive and haven’t ended your isolation.

• You’re still in quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID.

• You’re still waiting for results from a COVID test.

These questions will help you figure out how risky eating in a restaurant might be in your area:

If your answers show that eating out is more risky, you can reduce your risk by:

• Being up to date on vaccines.

• Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask except when you're actively eating or drinking.

• Spending less time at the restaurant.

• Standing or sitting farther away from people at other tables.

• Eating outdoors if possible.

If you feel that going to a restaurant is too risky, it’s always okay to decide not to go. Don’t go out if:

• You’re sick with COVID symptoms.

• You've tested positive and haven’t ended your isolation.

• You’re still in quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID.

• You’re still waiting for results from a COVID test.

These questions will help you figure out how risky a large public event in your area might be:

If the event is more risky, you can reduce your risk by:

• Being up to date on vaccines.

• Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask.

• Spending less time at the event.

• Standing or sitting farther away from other people at the event.

• Not eating or drinking at the event.

• Staying out of crowds at the event as much as you can.

• If there are indoor and outdoor activities at the event, only going to the outdoor ones.

• If some activities require proof of vaccination and others don’t, only going to the parts that require vaccination.

If you feel that the event is too risky, it’s always okay to decide not to go. Don’t attend if:

• You’re sick with COVID symptoms.

• You've tested positive and haven’t ended your isolation.

• You’re still in quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID.

• You’re still waiting for results from a COVID test.

These questions will help you figure out how risky visiting a high-risk friend or relative might be in your area:

If the visit is more risky, you can decrease your risk by:

• Being up to date on vaccines.

• Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask.

• Spending less time at the visit.

• Standing or sitting farther away from one another.

• Not eating or drinking during the visit.

• Spending more time outdoors during the visit.

• Bringing more fresh air into the room or using a high-quality air cleaner.

• Testing right before you visit. For the best accuracy with rapid tests, guests would test two days before the event, as well.

If you feel that the event is too risky, it’s always okay to decide not to go. Don’t attend if:

• You’re sick with COVID symptoms.

• You've tested positive and haven’t ended your isolation.

• You’re still in quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID.

• You’re still waiting for results from a COVID test.

Whenever you get COVID symptoms, you should get tested and stay away from others until you get the result.

If you test positive on a rapid test

• You’re almost certainly contagious. Talk to the host and let them know what happened.

• If you were in close contact with anyone at the event, they need to know what happened, too.

• You'll need to isolate and may want to consider treatment. Learn more.

If you test negative on a rapid test

• Your result might not be right. After you’ve been exposed to COVID, it takes a few days for enough virus to grow in your body that you test positive.

• To be more sure, test again a day or two later, and consider wearing a mask around others until then. Make sure to follow all of the instructions that come with the test.

• You can also get a lab test to confirm your result.

Were you in close contact with that person?

Yes: You'll need to wear a mask around others for a while, and you may need to quarantine. You'll also need to get tested once 5 days have passed since your close contact. Learn more.

No: These questions can help you figure out your risk level. If the answers show that you have a lot of risk, consider getting tested.