Protect Your Household from COVID-19

COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact with someone who is infected. Close contact means you’ve been within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period. People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. The best way to prevent illness and death is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Fewer cases of COVID-19 means fewer deaths. Follow this guidance to protect your household and lower the chances of catching and spreading COVID-19.

Wear a mask and watch your distance any time you’re near people you don’t live with, indoors and outdoors.
Limit in-person contact to only people you live with and people you interact with for essential services. Essential activities include going to work or school, exercising, medical appointments, and buying goods and meals.
Get tested often.
Get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
Stick to essential activities and continue to take it outside.
Stay home and apart from others if you have any symptoms, if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or if you are in quarantine or isolation.
Get treatment if you are eligible.
Remember the three Ws!
- Wear a mask that’s at least two layers thick and fits snugly but comfortably over your nose, mouth, and chin without any gaps.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or carry and use hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol.
- Watch your distance by staying at least six feet apart from others.

Social gatherings

Limit social contact to only the people you live with—your household. Don’t go shopping, have meals, get coffee, or take part in other social activities with people you don’t live with. Having contact with even one person outside of your household could expose you and everyone you live with to COVID-19.
Set some ground rules. Have honest conversations with the people in your household and agree on what kinds of behaviors you will and won’t take part in. Agree to socialize only with each other.
Find safer, creative ways to interact with people you don’t live with, like hosting virtual dinner parties, dance parties, movie nights, or game nights.