Table of Contents
As Texas heads into the holiday season, the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing availability is imperative for Texans to have the safest possible holiday season. While Texas has bounced back and forth between more restrictive protocols and an effective stay-at-home order, they are still guiding individuals on how to see others this holiday season. Here are locations and information on where you can find COVID-19 testing in the Austin area where you can get a same-day or scheduled test, ensuring your and your family’s safety this holiday season.
The Austin, Texas government included a Holiday Safety Guidance page to their website so people can ensure safety this holiday season.
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, Austin Public Health is offering risk guidance for gatherings, recommending avoiding all high-risk activities and being cautious with all medium-risk activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Celebrating virtually or with members of your household is the best option this holiday season, but if you still choose to gather traditionally, follow Austin Public Health guidance to do so safely.
Low-Risk Activities
- Celebrating with members of your household
- Decorating your living space
- Hosting a virtual gathering with friends and family
- Preparing traditional recipes and delivering them in a no-contact manner
- Watching holiday-themed movies or shows
Medium-Risk Activities
- Hosting a small dinner with local family and friends outdoors
- Attending an outdoor gathering
- Visiting orchards and tree farms where hand sanitizer is used before touching objects
- Having an outdoor parade or movie night
High-Risk Activities
- Participating in traditional caroling or other door-to-door activities
- Attending crowded, indoor gatherings
- Going on hayrides with non-household members
- Traveling outside your community for gatherings and events
Do NOT attend in-person celebrations if you:
- Have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19
- Have symptoms of COVID-19
- Are waiting for test results
- May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Or a household member are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Safety Measures:
- Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities – avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, and fully enclosed indoor spaces
- Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy (i.e. extra masks and hand sanitizer)
- Consider avoiding contact with people outside of your household for 14 days before the gathering
- Minimize gestures that promote close contact (i.e. hugs and handshakes)
- Maintain physical distancing and masking around people you do not live with
- Avoid singing, chanting, or shouting, especially when not masking or physical distancing
- Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between uses
- Featured Image Credit: Majid Majnun on Unsplash