{"id":11984,"date":"2020-11-26T10:12:09","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T02:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/?p=11984"},"modified":"2021-12-16T10:35:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T02:35:14","slug":"safety-protocols-christmas-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/safety-protocols-christmas-party\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Safety Protocol to Remember for the Christmas Party Planner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas is right around the corner. But instead of the usual excitement that comes with it, caution is in the air. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the normal Christmas gathering should be safeguarded with safety guidelines to keep everyone healthy.<\/p>\n

Before you sit down and plan the condo festivities, read up on the safety measures the government and your building have imposed in light of the pandemic<\/a>. This way, you are sure to have fun while lessening the risk of getting infected.<\/p>\n

Here are 15 reminders you should consider when planning a Christmas party in your condo.<\/p>\n

1. Check local quarantine measures.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Markus Spiske<\/a> via Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s crucial that you check with your local government units (LGU) about specific safety guidelines in your area. The size of your gathering or whether you can hold a party at all will depend on how stringent your area\u2019s quarantine measures are.<\/p>\n

If your area\u2019s under tighter lockdown protocols that don\u2019t permit mass gatherings, you will get in trouble for throwing a party. It\u2019s better to be familiar with the guidelines in place to avoid getting sanctioned by the LGU or your property manager.<\/p>\n

2. Refer to building-wide restrictions.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of GR Mottez<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Take note that in addition to city-specific lockdown guidelines, your own building might have its own regulations regarding mass gatherings. Speak with your property manager about these rules before holding your Christmas party. Also, remember to notify your guests about these building-specific rules so there won\u2019t be a problem come party time.<\/p>\n

3. Practice social distancing.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Markus Spiske<\/a> via Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t practice physical distancing, then it\u2019s best to not have a gathering amid a pandemic. Even if you follow the set number of guests that your quarantine measures allow, it\u2019s no use if you don\u2019t follow social distancing. You can place markers around your condo to indicate where guests can perch as per the World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) recommendations on mass gatherings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Ensure good ventilation.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of freestocks<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Another way you can keep your guests safe is to make sure your condo has free-flowing air. You may do this by opening the windows. Ensuring that your space is well-ventilated has been shown to minimize the spread<\/a> of and prevent COVID-19 cross-transmissions.<\/p>\n

5. Observe minimum contact procedures.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Nick Fewings<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

As much as it pains everyone, minimizing physical contact can protect you and your guests. This means no to hugging or friendly pecks on the cheek \u2013 not even the traditional mano po. All to help curb the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

6. Plan a general cleaning before and after the party.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Kelly Sikkema<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Before your guests even step foot in your condo, you should conduct a thorough cleaning of the unit. Apart from making it presentable, doing so also ascertains that your guests won\u2019t catch anything in your home. Disinfect high-contact surfaces like seats and rooms like the bathroom. Do this all over again after the party left to ensure maximum health safety.<\/p>\n

7. Place sanitation stations around your condo.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Kelly Sikkema<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Another important aspect of party planning in the middle of COVID-19 is having sanitation stations around your home. Place alcohol dispensers in strategic spots around the house and encourage your guests to use them liberally, especially around eating time.<\/p>\n

8. Designate eating spots.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Stefan Vladimirov<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Eating will be a tricky activity when done socially distanced. Your guests will have their masks off during this period, which increases the chances of spreading the virus. Prior to the party, you can place markers in the dining area where people can and cannot sit to maintain at least a meter\u2019s space between your guests.<\/p>\n

9. Make sure the food is clean.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Victoria Priessnitz<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the US Food and Drug Administration<\/a>, there is currently no evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food and food packaging. But one can never be too careful.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ordering takeout, make sure that the place you\u2019re buying from follows safety guidelines in preparing food. If you\u2019re cooking for your guests, you should take caution by using a face mask and thoroughly cooking and cleaning your ingredients.<\/p>\n

10. No face masks, no entry.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Adam Nie\u015bcioruk<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Face masks are also crucial to keep everyone safe and healthy at your party. Require everyone to wear a mask all throughout the event, and to only remove it when absolutely necessary like when eating.<\/p>\n

11. No shoes allowed inside the unit.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Florencia Viadana<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

The soles of your shoes carry a lot of germs too \u2013 not just COVID-19. One way you can prevent the spread of any kind of virus in your home is by placing sanitation mats by the door or requiring your guests to take off their footwear before they step into the unit. Make sure that you provide indoor slippers, for added comfort.<\/p>\n

12. Make it fun!<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of freestocks.org<\/a> via Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n

A physically distanced party is dismal enough as it is. But if everyone\u2019s just sitting on their designated spots with nothing to do, then what\u2019s the point of the gathering? Try out some minimal contact party games like Pictionary or Charades to lift the mood. You can even host a Netflix movie night to keep your guests engaged!<\/p>\n

13. Ask guests in advance to take note of their health.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Volodymyr Hryshchenko<\/a> via Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

When inviting guests, remind them to take note of symptoms<\/a> they might exhibit in the days leading up to the party. If they display worrying signs, ask them politely to postpone their visit to your home so as to protect yourself and the other guests.<\/p>\n

14. Make sure you are healthy.<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Ketut Subiyanto<\/a> via Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, you should also be free from symptoms if you plan to host a party. If you can, self-quarantine for at least two weeks before the event to make sure you don\u2019t catch anything. Take caution when you display symptoms and have it checked out immediately and put the party on pause.<\/p>\n

15. If you have to, do it virtually!<\/h3>\n

\"christmasPhoto courtesy of Gabriel Benois<\/a> via Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n

If your plans fail because of changes in local safety guidelines or health concerns, you can always do a virtual version of your party. There are many online activities<\/a> you can do to amp up your party from home. Invite everyone to join in a video call and enjoy the holidays through a virtual and safe Christmas gathering.<\/p>\n

Everyone wants to go back to the way things were, especially during the Christmas season. There\u2019s no fault in longing for warm holiday hugs and packed Christmas gatherings. Most of the population spent almost the whole year in isolation \u2013 we deserve a little fun during the holidays.<\/p>\n

But with the number of cases rising daily, no one can let their guard down. After all, the pandemic will end sooner if everybody chooses to follow safety protocols. What matters most is the changes you do to manage<\/a> despite the restrictions placed on you. One socially distanced Christmas is worth it if the next ones will be spared.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christmas is right around the corner. But instead of the usual excitement that comes with it, caution is in the air. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the normal Christmas gathering should be safeguarded with safety guidelines to keep everyone healthy. Before you sit down and plan the condo festivities, read up on the safety measures […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[871],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-wellness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11984\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leasing.dmcihomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}