It might be the end of 2020, but the pandemic isn’t over yet. As strange as it may be to host family and friends under the condition that social distancing rules are to be followed, these precautions are there to help protect you and those around you for as long as the threat of COVID-19 continues to exist. Here’s how to host safe, social-distancing gatherings at home.

Create social-distancing with your furniture
To limit the possibility of infection, space out your furniture so that your guests are seated roughly 1.5 meters apart from each other. With this in mind, try limiting the number of people you host to the amount of space you have available. Sadly, this does mean that the smaller the home, the fewer people you will be able to fit comfortably within while still adhering to social distancing measures.

Host gatherings in your garden
The risk of infection is much lower when hosting an event outdoors but you should still arrange your seating with social distancing rules in mind. If you have some cash to spare, consider building a covered patio space so that you can still host these outdoor gatherings when the colder, rainy days arrive. As a bonus, these outdoor additions usually add great value to the property and are likely to become increasingly popular in both the current and post-pandemic world.   

Apply a “you touch it, you sanitize it” rule
To limit the spread of the virus through high-touch surfaces, ask your guests to avoid touching any surfaces in the home and encourage everyone to sanitize their hands regularly. If you’re hosting, be sure to sanitize your home both before and after your guests arrive. As additional measures, you can use biodegradable paper plates and serve food that can be eaten without cutlery.    

Can’t fit? Find a larger home
If your home is making it difficult for you to host your family and friends safely, then there really has not been a better time for you to sell your home and start your search for a new home than right now. Interest rates are at an all-time low and house price appreciation has been slow over the last few years, resulting in relatively affordable property prices in most suburbs across the country. If you are ready to start your search for a new home, get in touch with your nearest RE/MAX real estate agent to find out what the current market has to offer you.