Experts outline precautions to party safely this holiday season

The last two years mdash and the beginning and end of 2022 mdash have tainted us with a unique fibre of smelling suspicion Any cause for community merrymaking seems to be accompanied by an imminent danger Can we go back to having fun like we did before the pandemic Can we ever prepare for luncheons and dinner parties without having to pack masks and sanitisers too We understand the panic and frustration that Omicron subvariant BF7 has spurred amongst the people And we donrsquot want them to hit pause on their plans But what can we do to sew up a favourable setting for tame festivitiesldquoFollow basic safety measures and not worry about the restrdquo says party organiser Meghna Chitalia who feels that wearing masks washing hands and keeping onersquos hands off their face alongside social distancing are the only parameters one can currently followMeghna ChitaliaEvent manager Delnaz A Billimoria agrees ldquoI donrsquot think the news will discourage people from pursuing any celebratory occasion But if they are stepping out I suggest they attend outdoorsy activities while staying maskedrdquo Here are a few simple yet effective guidelines based on their professional suggestionsCome on inAre you the kind of reveller who is anxious about attending events during an outbreak but also fears missing out on the fun Perhaps soireacutees or house parties would suit your personality well Find a long list of guidelines to ensure a secure and wholesome experience at homegtgt When you invite people factor in the size of your home mdash especially the living area or wherever you plan to host your guests It shouldnrsquot get overly packed Decide on the total number of invitees keeping in mind that there should be enough space for people to sit away from each other even when in thesame roomgtgt Itrsquos advisable to be transparent about your guest list Everyone invited should be aware of other invitees coming to the event The idea is to host a group of likeminded people so you can focus on engaging conversations while keeping an eye on protective measures If guests donrsquot gel with one another it can lead to unnecessary frictionDelnaz Billimoriagtgt Ensure that the main room receives enough ventilation Seat your invitees in an area that faces an open window balcony or courtyardgtgt Masks and sanitisers are vital Make sure guests mask up on the way to your home and sanitise soon after reaching the location While some friends get comfy after reaching the venue some others can stay iffy Respect their boundaries if they wish to keep their masks on or choose to wash their hands repeatedly You can invite people who have been vaccinatedgtgt Keep sufficient disposable cutlery at your disposal Arrange for separate small plates and dip bowls so guests donrsquot need to share starters sauces and condimentsgtgt Check in with your friends a day or two before the party Ask them about their health and the kind of food they want While some might be fine by restaurantmade food others might expect a homely meal In case of the latter opt for a potluck to avoid stress This ensures reliabilityAhoy travelling partiersgtgt When on a trip follow good hand hygiene Even if you feel lazy to do this it is of much importance when yoursquore travelling Make sure you wash your hands during and after your commutegtgt If you know you will be on a long flight carry multiple masks to avoid smelly breath This is a tip for both comfort and safety Wear your mask on the flight at all times Avoid eating when flyinggtgt Check for news updates before visiting a place You should be aware of reported cases in the areagtgt If your bookings have been finalised call up your hotel to check if they have safety measures in place to prevent the spread of the virusBe my guestgtgt Always remember that whoever is throwing a party is trying to ensure a safe and happy time Your actions should align with their efforts Get an idea of their house rules and follow the same throughout the eventgtgt Monitor your symptoms Be aware of the signs your body is showing If you have a cough a runny nose or are running a temperature itrsquos best to stay at home The new variant spreads more vigorously and hence quarantining should be your first prioritygtgt When at a friendrsquos place try to not smoke inside a room Step out if needed Instead of using surgical masks use N95 Keep sanitising your hands from time to timegtgt Remember to not share drinks or food especially during a lighthearted moment Be cautious of not invading another guestrsquos safe space while being friendlyAlways watch your stepgtgt Based on the information we have at our disposal with regard to the new COVID19 subvariant India has nothing to worry about as yet But taking safety precautions can go a long way Never take your health for granted Also itrsquos that time of the year when other viruses are at play Staying safe can protect you against a variety of lung infections tooDr Sanjeev Mehtagtgt I feel that house parties are a better way of ringing in festivities With intimate gatherings you have control over the guest list You will be meeting friends and not strangers so you have a fair idea about their health or recent travels If you have a cough excuse yourself from a gathering In such a case be responsible and focus on recovery As an informed individual itrsquos also unwise of you to put others at riskgtgt A possible disadvantage during home parties is the case of smokers smoking indoors In such scenarios demarcate an outdoor smoking area gtgt For those heading to destination parties ensure it has an open air arrangement Mask up use sanitisers and try to stay in the open as much as possible People should not panic but shouldnrsquot let their guard down either India has had potent vaccines in the past and this variant is not unheard of Research says that its strains have been found in 91 other countries We have to tackle the situation intelligentlyDr Sanjeev Mehta specialist in chest allergy and sleep medicine