City of Calgary urging residents to stay safe this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but this year’s celebration presents some unique challenges.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has kept people from gathering en masse for the better part of half a year now, and this upcoming holiday is no exception.

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The threat of infection is especially high in Alberta, which has seen a recent spike in new and active coronavirus cases. October 8 marked the highest single-day increase in new cases in the entirety of the pandemic, and saw active cases rise above 2,000 — a mark that hadn’t been seen since the initial outbreak.

To help protect Calgarians from unknowingly spreading the contagious disease this weekend, the City of Calgary has issued a release with some tips for what Thanksgiving dinner should look like.

According to the release, one of the most important factors in having a COVID-safe celebration is keeping the party small and within your cohort.

Those who are especially vulnerable should consider having Thanksgiving virtually this year or spreading Thanksgiving out over multiple days to keep the number of attendees small.

If the dinner is being held at a physical location, it is best to choose a home that has the greatest space available to allow for physical distancing.

It is also suggested by the city to have dinner outside if the weather cooperates, and this weekend’s forecast is looking (mostly) dry.

Time spent outdoors could also be considered as an after-dinner activity, rather than everyone sitting close together indoors.

During dinner, those who are most at risk should be placed at the end of the table, furthest away from others, and everyone should be sitting close to their own cohorts.

Hand sanitizer should be kept available, single hand towels should be placed in the washrooms, and everyone’s meal should be plated by one person (who has washed their hands) in lieu of a buffet-style serving.

“Be creative and use your judgement on what will work best for your situation to follow public health guidelines,” the release states.

“A few small adjustments can make your family safer and ensure everyone goes home healthy. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”