Most people plan to go out of state or sometimes even out of the country to be with family on holidays like Christmas or NewYears. But with the coronavirus travel bans and safety measures that have been put in place, COVID-19 will put a stopper on some families’ big holiday plans. This may be caused by a variety of things– families could have high-risk members who are very susceptible to the virus and could potentially die from it, or families want to go there is a travel ban.

Some airlines, to get around travel bans, have opted to fill the planes to half capacity and keep passengers six feet apart in the air. They have also required COVID testing, a fourteen-week self quarantine prior to taking flights and the compulsory two-week self quarantine after coming home by plane. However, this season, most families will choose to remain at home to be safe and  avoid risking their loved ones by cancelling or postponing their usual travel plans.

Large scale events have been cancelled as well. Activities like the National Botanical Garden’s yearly gingerbread display, the Scottish Walk Christmas Parade, and “A Main Street Christmas” in Washington, DC were all cancelled due to the drastic rise in COVID cases. These events usually have a large attendance number, therefore lots of people’s Christmas plans have been changed in more ways than not being able to visit with family and friends this holiday season, and not just in DC.

Additionally, small town events and gatherings have been cancelled due to COVID-19. In Vienna, there is a festival in the town every December called the Church Street Stroll, where small businesses and shops can set up booths and people gather to eat food and enjoy holiday themed entertainment. The coronavirus caused this event to be cancelled this year as the festival does not follow CDC guidelines, and it cannot be guaranteed everyone will remain socially distanced and wearing a mask at all times.

While most people in the DC area’s usual holiday activities are cancelled, there are some things to do in celebration, without taking any risks. The Hallmark Channel is running their annual countdown to Christmas, showing Christmas movies all day long. They also now have an app where viewers can keep track and mark off what movies they’ve seen. Baking cookies and focusing energy on making holiday treats with family, decorating the house, and opting to spend time with extended family virtually, via Zoom or FaceTime are all fun, safe, stay-at-home activities to enjoy this holiday season.