The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands held this Wednesday a Christmas lunch simulation in which it gave the "keys" through specialists in Preventive Medicine to hold social and family gatherings as safely as possible and try to avoid the transmission of the coronavirus.
Specifically, the specialist in Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), Eva Elisa Álvarez, stated that the "ideal" is to hold meetings or meals outdoors or with the windows and doors open as long as possible to avoid closed spaces.
Thus, she stated that it is recommended to hold meetings during this period with the same bubble group of contacts to limit the possibilities of transmission, while clarifying that if one of the guests has symptoms, they should not attend the celebration, since in that case they must isolate themselves and call the 900 112 061 line for coronavirus care, according to the Canarian Government in a press release.
It is also requested to maintain distance at all times, including at the table during lunch or dinner, between non-cohabiting people and only remove the mask when eating and drinking. In this regard, Álvarez pointed out that the "greatest risk occurs when people are unprotected, so it is important to avoid these exposures without a mask as much as possible."
She also recommended greeting without maintaining physical contact, that is, without kisses or hugs; maintain separation at the table between non-cohabitants, for example including a free chair between non-cohabiting families; perform an "adequate" hand hygiene, for which it may be useful to put hydroalcoholic gel on the table or avoid placing the masks on the table, being able to store it, for example, in a paper envelope.
Likewise, she advises not to share utensils or snack from the same plate and it is recommended to mark the glasses so that there is no possibility of confusion, as well as that the food is always served by the same person to limit movement around the table; toast without clinking glasses to avoid contact; and that after-dinner conversations be as brief as possible to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.
On the other hand, Dr. Eva Álvarez also recommended that in the event that several family members are caregivers of a vulnerable person, they should not all coincide at the same celebration, since if it were necessary to establish a quarantine, they would not all be affected.
Álvarez thanked the collaboration of the Canary Islands School of Actors and the Casa Montesdeoca restaurant for agreeing to participate in this event simulation and providing an outdoor space to explain the recommendations.
