Tips for holding a wedding reception in the midst of the Covid pandemic

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is constantly being urged to do 3M, namely keeping their distance, wearing masks, and washing their hands. Also, an equally important recommendation is to avoid crowds. Wedding parties in general actually create a crowd because they gather many people from various different regions. What are some tips for holding a wedding reception in the midst of a pandemic?

What are the risks of a wedding reception during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic is transmitted through close contact with an infected person through droplets that come out when talking, coughing or sneezing. The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection can also be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface and then holding your face without washing your hands first.

In certain circumstances COVID-19 can also be transmitted through the air (airborne), for example in an enclosed space with poor air circulation.

During this pandemic, there were several cases of major transmission (superspreading event ) that takes place at wedding receptions and similar gatherings. For example what happened at the end of last October at Long Island , United States, as many as 56 people are infected and 300 people must be quarantined after attending weddings and birthday parties. Another example is a modest wedding party in Maine, USA, which was recently linked to a major contagion that caused 177 illness.

In Indonesia, cases of COVID-19 transmission at weddings held during this pandemic have also been reported several times. One of them was a wedding ceremony in Sragen, Central Java, where COVID-19 killed one of the brides and their parents. Even though the local police had previously confirmed that the event was only in the form of a consent Kabul which was attended by close family members.

The high risk of major transmission at a wedding ceremony is usually due to the following:

Many people gathered and close together
Gathered for a long time
Poor air circulation or ventilation
People talking and singing
Many surfaces are susceptible to contamination and frequent contact

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

How to reduce the risk of transmission when having a wedding party?

One of the top tips is to always remember running 3M, wearing a mask, keeping your distance, and washing your hands. Wear a mask according to the recommendations, namely a surgical mask or a three-layer cloth mask. Besides that, keep your distance from other people and bring hand wash like a hand sanitizer wherever you go.

Here are some other tips for those who want to hold a wedding reception in the midst of a pandemic.

Party on a small scale

Weddings in pandemic times are best held on a small scale. The event should be sufficiently attended by family and closest friends. In general, the smaller the scale of the party, the fewer guests and the less risk of infection.

Whether held indoors or outdoors, still limit the number of visitors to the event by paying attention to the area of the wedding event. Also pay attention to the seating distance provided for invited guests.

Outdoor party or outdoors

The best places to avoid infection are outdoors or the open air. This is because the risk of transmission indoors is about 18 times higher than outdoors.

If you have already chosen indoors, pay attention to the air circulation in the room.

Avoid serving buffet meals

In the guidelines for implementing the new normal, the government calls on restaurants not to provide buffet meals, even during a party. Buffet meals are at risk of becoming a transmission route due to the use of serving utensils, ladles and rice scoops, which almost all guests touch in turn.

Provide hand sanitizer and a place to wash hands

As an anticipation, you should provide this facility so that invited guests can wash their hands before and after attending a wedding reception. Also provide other necessities such as tissues, masks, and markers to keep your distance.

In addition, WHO also recommended that the organizing committee continue to remind the importance of maintaining health protocols for all invited guests who attended.