{"id":8646,"date":"2020-12-22T02:43:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T08:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10010\/?p=8646"},"modified":"2021-02-04T12:07:11","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T18:07:11","slug":"social-distancing-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/social-distancing-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Distancing Events: 3 Ways To Celebrate and Stay Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If there’s one term we’d like to erase from our vocabulary, it’s the “<\/span>new normal<\/span>.” The <\/span>coronavirus<\/span> has brought a lot of new elements into our lives \u2014 new surges, new <\/span>lockdowns<\/span>, new <\/span>social distancing guidelines<\/span> \u2014 but there’s nothing normal about living through a <\/span>pandemic<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, <\/span>COVID<\/span>-19 has made a lot of normal life events \u2014 from grabbing coffee with a friend to celebrating the birth of a new baby \u2014 increasingly abnormal. And yet, we persevere, finding new ways to celebrate with <\/span>social distancing<\/span> events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hosting a <\/span>social distancing<\/span> event isn’t just about revelry. It’s about spreading joy (not germs), spending time with our loved ones and our community, and helping to raise spirits when we all need it most.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this guide, you can plan a safe, socially distanced event. We’ve put together tips for protecting your guests and for hosting three different kinds of events, ranked from safe to safest.\u00a0<\/span>
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How To Host Safe <\/b>Social Distancing<\/b> Events\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

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The safest way to host a socially distanced event is to go virtual. But even if you’re hosting an in-<\/span>person event<\/span>, there are ways to decrease the risk of spreading coronavirus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Basic <\/b>Safety Measures<\/b><\/h3>\n

Follow the <\/span>CDC<\/span>‘s guidelines for <\/span>social distancing<\/span><\/a>. Ask all your <\/span>event attendees<\/span> to <\/span>wear masks<\/span> and encourage them to use other <\/span>protective equipment<\/span>, like face shields and gloves. You can provide disposable face masks and set up <\/span>hand sanitizer<\/span> stations in case anyone arrives unprepared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical Distancing<\/b> Measures\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

To encourage <\/span>physical distancing<\/span>, add markers every six feet so guests know where to stand. Avoid activities that encourage <\/span>close contact<\/span> like dancing, and opt instead for activities like yard games that allow for more <\/span>social distance<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Design your event space to discourage attendees from crowding in one area. Look for <\/span>outdoor spaces<\/span> and reserve two to three times more space than you normally would for events of the same size.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your event includes a bar, set up multiple small bars instead of one central bar. If guests will sit at tables, opt for small tables that only seat a few guests each. Don’t place any activities, food, or drink stations near the entrance of your event so that guests won’t congregate where other attendees are entering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional <\/b>Safety Measures<\/b> for Corporate and Community Events<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you’re hosting a corporate or community event, event <\/span>ticketing<\/span> can help you monitor the <\/span>number of people<\/span> attending. <\/span>Ticketing<\/span> also allows you to limit the <\/span>number of people<\/span> or create staggered start times. With staggered start times, you can host a larger event, but still keep the numbers small throughout the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re worried about a large crowd, go invitation-only instead of advertising on <\/span>social media<\/span>, or host a last-minute <\/span>popup<\/span>. A <\/span>popup<\/span> is a great way to engage your community if you run a local business or restaurant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Announcing your <\/span>popup<\/span> at the last minute (think 24 hours in advance) means fewer people will be able to attend \u2014 you can reach out to your entire <\/span>social media<\/span> community and allow them to self-limit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter how many <\/span>safety measures<\/span> you put in place, high-risk individuals should not attend in-<\/span>person events<\/span> \u2014 consider live streaming your event so they can still feel like they’re part of the fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

3 Ways To Host <\/b>Social Distancing<\/b> Events<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are three ways to maintain <\/span>social distancing<\/span> while hosting an event: go outdoors, limit the <\/span>number of people<\/span>, or opt for a <\/span>virtual event<\/span>. Even though you won’t be physically close to your guests, each of these options provides plenty of opportunity for fun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s what to consider when hosting each type of event, plus ideas for activities that will make your day feel just as exciting as a pre-<\/span>COVID<\/span> shindig.<\/span><\/p>\n

Safe: Take Your Event Outside<\/b><\/h3>\n

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If you’re hosting guests <\/span>onsite<\/span>, <\/span>outdoor spaces<\/span> are safer than indoor spaces. In <\/span>a study of more than 20,000 <\/span>coronavirus<\/span> cases<\/span><\/a>, only 6% were linked to <\/span>outdoor events<\/span> \u2014 and most of those were from very crowded <\/span>outdoor spaces<\/span>. So, going outside is significantly safer than staying in, but you should still make sure you have lots of space for each guest to spread out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To encourage guests to stay six feet apart, arrange some outdoor activities that promote <\/span>social distancing<\/span>. Here are some of our favorite <\/span>outdoor event ideas<\/span> that allow you to keep your distance and keep the fun rolling:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n