COVID-19 precautions for the holidays

Six people celebrating the holidays over dinner

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) encourage the public to continue following COVID-19 precautions throughout the holiday season. 

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies Olmsted County as being at a level of high community transmission(link is external). With this in mind, local health officials say it is increasingly important to follow COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health.

The top recommendation for the holiday season is to get vaccinated; or, if eligible, receive your booster shot prior to holiday get-togethers (booster shots are now available for anyone 18 and up).

“Olmsted County’s COVID-19 case count remains high entering the holiday season. While we hope family and friends can gather to celebrate, safety is our number one priority,” said OCPHS Associate Director Denise Daniels. “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to help keep yourself, your family, and your community as healthy as possible this holiday season.” 


Vaccination is only one piece to the puzzle when keeping yourself and the community healthy and safe. The public is encouraged to enjoy the holiday season as safely as possible and to consider the following:

  • Get tested for COVID-19 before attending gatherings and do not gather with family if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms(link is external).
  • Take precautions indoors including physical distancing and wearing masks when celebrating in areas of high community transmission.
  • Choose outdoor activities when possible, like sledding or ice skating.
  • If gathering, keep groups small.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.

“Remember that protecting our community including family, friends, coworkers and neighbors is a collective responsibility. The steps we all take to assure we are healthy is a gift we can give to our family and friends – and to ourselves – during this holiday season,” said OCPHS Associate Director Michael Melius.

OCPHS, Mayo Clinic, and OMC encourage families to plan ahead, follow COVID-19 safety protocols, and do their part to keep their families and community safe.

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Media Contact: Emma Diercks(link sends email), Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166