For Immediate Release

COVID-19 Update: Thanksgiving Holiday Guidance and Other Mitigation Strategies

State College, Pa – As COVID-19 infections surge across the country, the Borough of State College is urging all residents to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19 this Thanksgiving holiday by limiting in-person gatherings and vigilantly following public health guidance.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), small household gatherings are a significant contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with only people in your household.

Recommendations for Gatherings

Residents should refrain from attending or hosting social gatherings with those outside of their household.

• Limit the number of guests. The more people who attend a gathering, the greater the chance that someone in attendance is carrying the virus. State College Borough’s local ordinance limits gatherings to 10 people.
• Require guests to wear face coverings, unless eating or drinking.
• Maintain six feet of distance between guests at all times, including before, during and after the meal. This includes relatives from other households.
• Consider hosting festivities outdoors, as weather permits. Increase ventilation indoors by opening windows and doors.
• Consider single-use disposable utensils and dishware for serving and eating meals.
  
• Wash and disinfect guest areas before and after the gathering.
• Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations.

Community members are reminded that State College Borough temporary COVID-19 mask wearing and gathering limit ordinance limits gatherings to no more than 10 people. Those who have COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should stay home and isolate. In addition, older adults and those at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid in-person gatherings with anyone other than your household members.

The PA Department of Health is recommending that everyone download the COVID-19 Alert PA app.

The Borough of State College would like to thank the Centre County Commissioners and Centre County Government for extending the FREE walk-in testing site at the Nittany Mall through December 18. Please note the following:

Where: Nittany Mall, inside the former Bon-Ton storefront

• Only open weekdays
• Not open next week (Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27)
• Reopens Monday, November 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays through Friday, December 18)

If you are looking for more information on testing, visit our testing map.

Visit our COVID-19 website at www.statecollegepa.us/coronavirus for additional updates and information.

State College Mayor Ronald L. Filippelli reinforces this information in the most recent video update.

For more information about this release, email Douglas Shontz at dshontz@statecollegepa.us.