Risks of Summer Activities During the Pandemic

It has been around three months of quarantine for many of us. The urge to get out and enjoy the summer is real. But what's safe?  Here is how experts rate the risks of summer activities during the pandemic.

A BYOB gathering with one other household:

Low to medium risk. Hopefully the other family has been social distancing too. Avoid sharing food, drinks or utensils. 

Eating indoors at a restaurant:

Medium to high risk. Because even if spacing is OK, the duration of exposure is longer. Pick a restaurant that has adapted for the pandemic. And choose outdoor dining if available.

Spending the day at a beach or pool:

Low risk. Be sure to stay socially distanced. The water is an unlikely source of infection. The most dangerous spots may be the change rooms or washrooms. And beaches are better than pools in terms of space.

An outdoor celebration such as a wedding with more than 10 guests:

Medium to high risk. The danger varies greatly depending on the size of the gathering and how closely people gather. 

Staying at a hotel:

Low to medium risk. Limit your time in common areas such as the lobby, gym, restaurant and elevator. And bring disinfecting wipes for the TV remote control and other common surfaces. 

Going to a nightclub:

High risk. Crowds, ultra-close contact, singing, sweating and inhibition-loosening alcohol are a potent cocktail of risk factors.

Going camping:

Low risk. You’re outdoors and isolated. What could go wrong? It’s more dangerous if you’re at a crowded campground with a shared restroom and communal picnic areas.