9 Ways to Protect Yourself As COVID-19 Restrictions Lift

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Jennifer L.W. Fink, RN, BSN on May 14, 2021
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    Precautions During COVID-19 Reopening
    If you're in an area where COVID-19 restrictions are lifted or not as strict as in other parts of the country, it’s important to remember that SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the infection, is still circulating—as are newer, more contagious versions of the virus. Scientists and medical professionals have made progress in understanding and treating the disease, but there’s still no cure. Fortunately, there are now three safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to help end the pandemic; however, it will likely be several months before communities have protective immunity.

    Learn how to protect yourself from infection as you navigate your community and when visiting others.
  • young woman inside train, wearing a protective face mask and six feet away from fellow traveler
    1. Wear a face mask if not fully vaccinated.
    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every unvaccinated person older than 2 years wear a cloth face cover when in a public place. So, put on a mask every time you patronize a business, go to church, or travel, and make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth. (You don’t need a mask outside unless you’re likely to be close to other people.)

    If you're fully vaccinated, you don't need to wear a mask in any setting, unless required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules or regulations, as well as local business and workplace guidance.
  • Washing Hands
    2. Continue good hand hygiene.
    The virus that causes COVID-19 can live on surfaces, so it’s essential to wash your hands frequently when you’re out and about. Avoid touching your face and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as soon as possible after touching a public surface, such as a park bench, playground equipment, or a restaurant menu.

    If you can’t get to a sink with running water, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Rub the sanitizer all over your hands for at least 30 seconds.
  • senior African American man holding smartphone in front of laptop
    3. Monitor case rates.
    The more cases of COVID-19 in your local community, the greater your chance of encountering the novel coronavirus. It’s nearly impossible to know the exact number of cases in a community because many infected people don’t have symptoms. However, public health experts say it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the overall infection trend and percentage of positive tests.

    Ideally, you want to see a positive test rate of 5% or less and a declining number of infections. If the positive case rate is going up instead of down, you may want to limit your outings.
  • Social distancing signage
    4. Maintain social distancing.
    If you are not vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s still important to stay 6 feet (or more) away from other people, especially those you don’t know. Most businesses now have stickers or tape on the floor to encourage patrons to remain 6 feet apart. The CDC issued guidance that fully vaccinated people do not need to physically distance in any setting, except where required by a government, business or workplace.

    Many businesses are still limiting the number of people inside at any given time, to allow for adequate spacing, but limitations vary between cities. If you can’t get in, come back another time rather than standing in a tightly packed line outside.

    Regardless of your vaccination status, if someone moves too close for comfort, move back a bit (if possible) and politely ask them to give you some space.
  • Friends hanging out in the city
    5. Socialize outside.
    It’s much safer to hang out with friends in your backyard than at a local bar. Indoors, the virus is confined and can be recirculated via the heating or cooling system. Outdoors, the wind can dilute and scatter the virus. Sunlight can also destroy the virus on surfaces.

    If you're fully vaccinated, you don't need to physically distance inside or outside, unless otherwise required by location, according to public health guidance by the CDC. For people who are not fully vaccinated, it is safer to gather with friends at a local park or beach. (Go at off-peak times to bypass the crowds.) Camping, hiking and bicycling are also relatively low-risk activities. However, avoid sharing equipment.

    One way to limit potential exposure to coronavirus is to restrict your social interactions to a few people who have agreed to also restrict their interactions.
  • Close-up of potential Covid-19 vaccines in vials in scientist's hands during research and development in laboratory
    6. Get the COVID-19 vaccine.
    People who receive both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are 90% less likely than unvaccinated people to get COVID-19. The single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine is 76% effective and protects people from developing severe COVID-19 caused by a variant of concern. People 18 and older may receive the Moderna and J&J vaccines; people age 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Grandparents and grandchildren meeting in park during COVID-19 pandemic
    7. Prioritize activities.
    Activities that put you in close contact with others are higher risk than activities that allow you to maintain 6 or more feet of space around you. That’s why getting your haircut at a salon is riskier than jogging on a not-very-crowded nature trail.

    As communities relax COVID-19 restrictions, take some time to think about what’s most important to you. If you want to spend time with an elderly parent or grandparent—encourage them to get vaccinated if they haven't already. If they are unable or do not want to be vaccinated, limit your public outings and avoid higher-risk activities. If you are fully vaccinated, you are at low risk of developing COVID-19. You may go about your day without a mask, even in a public setting, unless required by your destination or local ordinance.
  • Mexican restaurant owner hands an order to a customer outside the restaurant, and they are both wearing gloves and masks
    8. Use caution when dining out.
    Many restaurants are open for dine-in service with social distancing. However, take-out remains your safest option until there are higher rates of vaccination, community immunity, and fewer new infections. Consider ordering from a local restaurant and then taking the meal to a park or other outdoor space.

    A full-service restaurant experience inside is less risky for vaccinated than unvaccinated people. If you are not vaccinated, opt to sit outside rather than inside, if possible, at a table that’s at least 6 feet away from others. All servers and restaurant workers should wear masks; you may want to wear one as well, at least until your food arrives. Do not share food or utensils with others.
  • Senior, overweight Hispanic woman smiling and walking outside with hand weights
    9. Exercise alone.
    Many gyms are open and people are eager to return to their previous fitness routines. If you’re planning to go back to the gym, get vaccinated if possible. You may still need to stay at least 6 feet away from others while working out. (Physical distancing may remain a requirement in many places because the business will not know its clients' vaccination status.) Group exercise classes aren’t a good idea at this time, unless the class is outdoors and participants can maintain social distancing.

    It’s safest to exercise alone at home or outside. If you’re missing the camaraderie and accountability of your gym buddies, consider partnering up with a friend. You can challenge one another via text and even workout “together” via video conferencing.
9 Ways to Protect Yourself as COVID-19 Restrictions Lift | COVID-19 Reopening
  1. How to Protect Yourself and Others. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
  2. Coronavirus Face Masks & Protection FAQ. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-face-masks-what-you-need-to-know
  3. 5 Rules to Live by During a Pandemic. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/well/live/coronavirus-rules-pandemic-infection-prevention.html?campaign_id=154&emc=edit_cb_20200609&instance_id=19244&nl=coronavirus-briefing&regi_id=91888610&segment_id=30492&te=1&user_id=84fe3aea449c1d0dab96b8cf4ddf0ae7
  4. Zhanga R, Lib Y, Zhang AL, et al. Identifying airborne transmission as the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jun 11;202009637. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2009637117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32527856/
  5. Why the Public Should Wear Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Infection Control Today. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/covid-19/why-public-should-wear-masks-during-covid-19-pandemic
  6. What Percent Positivity Can – and Can’t – Tell Us About Virginia’s COVID-19 Epidemic. Virginia Mercury. https://www.virginiamercury.com/2020/05/14/what-percent-positivity-can-and-cant-tell-us-about-virginias-covid-19-epidemic/
  7. Which U.S. States Meet WHO Recommended Testing Criteria? Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/testing-positivity
  8. Is Your State Reopening? Advice for Staying Safe at Work, Stores and More. Today. https://www.today.com/health/states-reopening-how-stay-safe-coronavirus-t181299
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Last Review Date: 2020 Jun 17
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