Denver Department of Public Health & Environment recommends anyone age 12 and older get vaccinated before the holidays.
DENVER — The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) on Wednesday announced COVID-19 safety guidance for Halloween and the 2021 holiday season.
With holiday celebrations bringing generations together, DDPHE recommends anyone age 12 years and older get vaccinated before the holiday season.
DDPHE said all three COVID-19 vaccines are free, readily available and require no proof of insurance or identification.
RELATED: Fauci: Kids should ‘go out there’ and enjoy Halloween trick-or-treating
RELATED: Where to trick-or-treat around the Denver area
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) recommend taking the following precautions this Halloween and holiday season:
- Go trick-or-treating outside in small groups and avoiding crowded indoor Halloween parties.
- Costume masks are not a substitute for face coverings that protect against COVID-19.
- Face coverings that protect against COVID-19 should be made from two or more breathable fabric layers that cover the nose and mouth, with no gaps around the face.
- If wearing a costume mask over a cloth face covering makes it hard to breathe, consider a Halloween-themed cloth mask as part of the costume instead.
- Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children, by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
- Wear well-fitting face coverings over the nose and mouth in public indoor settings if not fully vaccinated.
- Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a face covering in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
- Remember gathering outdoors is safer than indoors.
- Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
- Those who are sick or have symptoms should NOT host or attend gatherings.
- Those with COVID-19 symptoms or have close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should get tested immediately.
- Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a face covering in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
Those planning to travel for a holiday or event should visit the CDC’s Travel page to help decide the best plans for travel, according to DDPHE.
The CDC still recommends delaying travel until all those traveling are fully vaccinated. Everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated, is still required to wear a mask on public transportation this holiday season.
Additional resources about vaccination, testing and booster shots can be found on DDPHE’s COVID-19 webpage.
RELATED: CDC director says Halloween trick-or-treating safe for kids outside this year
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Holiday season in Colorado
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for “9news” to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.