For months, the coronavirus pandemic has made many El Pasoans hermits, trying to flatten the curve in the city. Yet, as the curve is being flattened, people are looking for ways to get some fresh air and see their friends and family. However, doing this incorrectly can still expose people to the virus.
In our latest Sarabia’s blog, we offer tips for small gatherings to keep your guests both happy and healthy. Use these tips for your next gathering!
1) Discuss The Party Beforehand
Since COVID is still a threat, you’ll need to plan out the party beforehand. Our following tips will help you determine how to plan, but it’s important that your guests are on the same page.
2) Provide Masks If Necessary
Even if your party is outdoors with plenty of wind, you can still contract the virus from your guests. It’s important that everyone at the party has some masks, or that you provide some masks if needed. If you or someone else are serving food, be sure to wear gloves as well.
3) Set A Concrete Timeframe
Some of the best parties tend to go well past their time frame, but that’s a bad idea during a pandemic. The longer your party goes on, the more chances that transmission could occur. As hard as it may be, you’ll need to be somewhat strict about the start and end times.
4) Have A System For Keeping People Apart
One of the most important tips that we can offer is having a system for keeping people apart. This could be done in many ways: you could have one person serving food and drinks for guests, for example.
Another way to keep people separate is to make a seating arrangement for your guests or even having people arrive at your party at different times. While it may seem over-the-top, it’s a great way to keep your guests from potentially contracting COVID.
5) Have Your Guests Get Tested
Requiring your guests to get tested may also be a fantastic way to keep yourself and your guests safe. By requiring people to get tested, it can give your guests much-needed peace-of-mind while they mingle.
6) Label, Label, Label
If you don’t have a dedicated food/beverage server, then you may want to label all of your food and beverages. This can help keep people from touching things that they don’t want and increasing the chances of transmission.
7) Use Disposable Paper Towels and Napkins
It may go without saying, but you will need to replace any reusable towels with disposable towels and napkins. This is very important for bathrooms since they are typically small spaces. Put sanitizer is accessible places if possible.
8) Keep Your Party As Small As Possible
No matter how many tips you use, a party too large may invalidate them. Larger parties are harder to manage, and it only takes one person not following the rules to put other people in jeopardy. 10 or less people is ideal for your party.
9) Take A Dip In The Pool
If you have a pool, don’t be afraid to take a dip! According to experts, the coronavirus does not transmit in the pool, so feel free to swim in the pool!
10) Have Quality Sanitation At The Ready
Last but not least, you’ll want to have your sanitation situation sorted out well before your guests arrive. If it’s a small party, try to make a system for using the bathroom so germs and viruses don’t proliferate in there.
If the party is slightly larger, you could rent some porta-potties, sanitation stations, and more from Sarabia’s. We have all the tools you need to keep your guests happy at your next event.
What Not To Do At Your Next Event
So now you have a few tips on what you should do, but what are things that you should absolutely not do for your next event?
1) Don’t Have Your Party Indoors If Possible
If you can have your party indoors, try to do so. Indoors, air circulation may cause the virus to circulate more than is safe, while an outdoor party could keep airborne transmission probability low.
2) Don’t Encourage Activities That Bring People Too Close
We know it’s been a while since you brought out Twister to the party, but that’s not the best idea. COVID-19 is highly transmissible and distance is your friend, so any activities that bring people too close may be dangerous.
3) Don’t Let Your Guests Push The Party Boundaries
As people get more comfortable during your party, they may want to bend the rules a little. Stay vigilant and don’t let them skirt around your rules. It may seem like you’re trying to be a party pooper, but they’ll thank you when they aren’t sick.
Choose Sarabia’s Today For Expert Waste Management!
At Sarabia’s, we’ve spent decades providing the waste management tools our customers need for parties, construction, and much more. Give us a call today to learn more about our offerings and see how we can make your party a success!
