Stay outdoors with a small group of people that’s stable for at least 3 weeks
In-person social gatherings are prohibited between December 7, 2020 and January 4, 2021 under an emergency COVID-19 Health Order issued December 5, 2020.
Guidelines about social bubbles in the following message, which was published when the virus was far less widespread, are superseded by this new Order. While gatherings must temporarily halt, the three questions listed below still provide a useful framework for assessing relative risk of different activities.
When you leave the safety of home, use three questions to reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19: Where will you go? Who will attend? What will happen?
These questions should guide you to limit activities within a small, stable group that meets outdoors and uses both face coverings and distance when with other households.
These questions should also help you avoid confined spaces, crowds and close contact with those outside your household.
These general questions come with specific caveats: For older adults or those with underlying medical conditions, extra precautions should be taken. Until there is an effective vaccine or treatment, the pandemic way of life dictates that the safest place for everyone is home.
COVID-19 may be spread by people without symptoms. These measures -- promoted by Berkeley Health Officer Lisa B. Hernandez and health officials around the region -- protect you and limit spread in our communities, especially protecting our most vulnerable.
Where will you go?
Outdoors is the safest. Limit indoor interactions with people you don't live with.
You should be able to wash your hands or carry hand sanitizer with you.
Even outdoors, wear your required mask and keep physical distance from those outside your household.
Who will attend?
The fewer who attend, the safer. Your Berkeley household can be part of a group of 12 people that gathers socially outdoors and is stable for at least 3 weeks -- a "social bubble."
If you live in a large, shared house, such as a fraternity or co-op, all those you live with become part of your group of 12.
Older adults and those with pre-existing conditions are more likely to get severe COVID-19 disease. The safest way to talk to them is online or on the phone.
If you or others feel sick, stay home.
What will happen?
Keep people from different households at least 6 feet apart and avoid sharing food or other items.
When everyone wears their required face covering, that's safer. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that are exhaled, sneezed or coughed. People may not wear masks when eating, drinking or participating in lots of physical activity.
The shorter the gathering, the safer.
Some activities increase risk of getting or spreading the virus, like sharing food, drinks, toys, bats, balls or objects passed back and forth. Risk also rises when people sing, chant, or shout. Avoid all those activities with those outside your household.
This is not the time for large gatherings or celebrations.
After your gathering
People without symptoms can have and spread the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. Get tested.
Start self-isolating at home immediately if:
- you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms; OR
- you had a positive test for COVID-19; OR
- experienced symptoms within two weeks of being with someone else with COVID-19.
Do not wait for a positive test result. See the Health Officer's Isolation and Quarantine Orders for detailed guidance.
Knowing who will attend, what will happen and where you'll go can help guide your interactions when you leave the safety of home. They can help keep you and our community safe.
