The CDC or the Centers for Disease Control just announced the residents of the United States and that is to cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 for the next eight weeks.

Experts have considerably recommended on social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. This guide says that it applies to all events from concerts, sporting events, weddings, and all other gatherings.

Find the official statement of the CDC below:

Guidance as of 3/15/2020
“Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities.

Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, following its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce the introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.”

There were some recent changes from the March 12, 2020 statement.

Here is a summary of those revisions:

Highlights vulnerable populations

Adds a section on “Considerations for Postponing or Cancelling a Mass Gathering”

Adds a section on discouraging handshakes and high fives (for sporting events)

Adds standard language regarding disinfection procedures

Let it be known that according to CDC:

Older adults and persons with severe underlying health conditions are considered to be at increased risk of more serious illness after contracting COVID-19. Priority should be given to ensuring the safety of these groups of people, particularly for any mass gatherings that are expected to have a large number of older adults or persons with underlying conditions.

Some considerations which people should know before organizing an event or gathering are as follows:

1) The overall number of attendees.
2) The number of people attending who are at greater risk of more serious illness after contracting COVID-19.
3) The density of attendees within a confined area.
4) The potential economic impact on participants, attendees, staff, and the larger community.
5) The level of transmission in your local community and the level of transmission in the areas from which your attendees will travel.
6) If there are ways in which to significantly reduce the number of attendees.

Read More: World Health Organization: Coronavirus COVID-19 Now a PANDEMIC