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BPHC Recommendations for COVID-19 Safety During Graduation Season

​For this season's graduations and large events, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is offering recommendations.

Vaccinations:

Attendees should be strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and boosted prior to the event. Please consider sending reminder communications prior to the event.

Respiratory etiquette and masking:

Attendees should be strongly encouraged or required to wear face masks during indoor events. We strongly recommend that individuals at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease, such as seniors, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, and those who are not fully vaccinated, use masks during indoor events given current COVID-19 community levels. Limiting consumption of food and beverages during events, particularly those that are hosted indoors, may help to minimize mask removals. Medical grade face masks should be made available during the event for attendees. Hand sanitizer should be readily available.

Testing:

Attendees should be encouraged to test with 1) Rapid at-home test the day of the graduation OR 2) PCR testing within 24-48 hours of the graduation. Rapid at-home testing kits should be made available to families and staff.

  • Test for COVID-19 at least 5 days after an exposure or attending a large indoor event, such as a graduation---or sooner if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19--to prevent onward transmission.

 

Ventilation:
  • All events be held outdoors whenever feasible.
  • If indoors, use as large a space as possible with as much ventilation (fresh outdoor air, not recirculated). Please open windows whenever feasible to maximize ventilation. Tents with more than two sides count as 'indoors'.
Symptom screening
  • Attendees should be reminded to self-screen for symptoms on the day of event and to stay home if they are feeling sick and/or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Please consider adding signage in the entrance to this effect.
Physical distancing
  • Consider offering dual virtual/in-person options and limiting number of attendees to diminish crowding
  • Distance between audience members and students who are graduating whenever feasible
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