Thanksgiving gatherings permitted in Brampton this year, but masks must be worn unless everyone is vaccinated
Published October 6, 2021 at 10:51 am
Thanksgiving could look a lot different in Brampton this year, as long as all attendees are vaccinated.
“With our current vaccine coverage, Thanksgiving still looks a little different compared to normal, but it looks a lot different compared to last year,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel, said in Mayor Patrick Brown’s weekly press conference on Wednesday (October 6).
“While virtual gatherings still remain safest, if you are vaccinated, you can consider gathering with the same precautions we’ve been using through the summer.”
According to Dr. Loh, masks must still be worn indoors if not everyone in attendance is vaccinated.
“If some guests are unvaccinated, in any setting, we still continue to urge you to wear masks and distance where possible,” he said.
However, if everyone in attendance is vaccinated, Dr. Loh has suggested it is safe for masks to be removed, provided no one is experiencing any symptoms. “If everyone is vaccinated, and no one is symptomatic, masks can be removed for indoor gatherings,” he said.
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Further, while gatherings are permitted, Dr. Loh emphasized that smaller gatherings are safer, as they can more readily accommodate distancing. “Remember as well that smaller events with fewer guests mean safer events,” he said.
Moreover, Dr. Loh stressed that anyone who feels sick, even just slightly, should refrain from attending any in-person events, and get tested and stay home instead.
“I’m glad Thanksgiving is different this year, but I think it’s important to continue celebrating safely to protect our progress,” he said.
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