The Labor Day holiday is traditionally celebrated as a long weekend filled with retail shopping, cookouts and gatherings with friends and family.  But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced cities to cancel public events and discourage people from gathering in public spaces.  Large gatherings with other people from outside your household, such as members of extended family and friends, are potentially risky.

Health officials across the Bay Area agree that staying home is the healthy and responsible choice to make this weekend.

Remember, you can spread COVID-19 even if you don’t feel sick. You can pass the disease to someone else, such as an elderly relative, before you even know you have it, and even if you never develop any symptoms at all. When people who have contracted the infection come in contact with high-risk people, there can be very serious consequences.

So, please stay safe and remember the keys to staying healthy: wear a face mask, maintain at least 6’ of distance from others, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick.

That is why Bay Area health officers recommend people who are not members of the same household remain physically distant. The best ways to protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Continuing to stay home as much as possible
• Practicing physical distancing outside the home
• Wearing face coverings or masks when outside your home
• Avoiding gatherings with people outside your immediate household
• Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently
• Staying home from work or school if you feel sick

For more information, please visit www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx.