U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

10/21/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2021 11:02

Daily Activities

What you need to know before participating in activities

  • If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume many of the activities that you did before the pandemic. To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you can become infected with the Delta variant and you can spread the virus to others.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated, continue to take steps to protect yourself.
  • If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may not be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people until advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Things to Think About When Planning Activities

COVID-19 in your community

  • Are there high numbers of cases in your community? You can find out about spread of COVID-19 in your community on the County View If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
  • Are many people in your community vaccinated? Vaccines continue to reduce a person's risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19, including this variant. You can find out about vaccination in your community on the County View page. Consider wearing a mask for activities that bring you into close contact with others.
  • What are the local and business laws, rules, and regulations? Be sure to follow laws, rules, and regulations made by businesses and federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies.

The setting

  • Will you be inside or outside? If you want to spend time with people who don't live with you, outdoors is the safer choice! You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities, even without the use of masks.
  • Does the space have good ventilation? Good ventilation, along with other preventive actions, like staying 6 feet apart and wearing masks, can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19.
  • Are you able to stay 6 feet away from others? Avoid crowded places where you cannot stay 6 feet away from others.

Stay home if you are sick

If you have COVID-19, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, know when to quarantine and get tested.

People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection:

  • Fully vaccinated people should be tested 5-7 days after their last exposure.
  • People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they are a close contact. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5-7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.