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NOV. 22, 2021
Connecting with family and friends is vital to maintaining our emotional well being, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, plan ahead to have a healthy and happy holiday season by visiting the CDC's guidance on Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays and VDH's Holiday Celebrations and Special Events page.
Getting vaccinated, washing your hands, and taking travel precautions are just a few of the ways to enjoy a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Read more about how to stay safe this holiday: Safety Tips for Thanksgiving 2021 (Consejos de seguridad para los días festivos)
Public Health leaders in the Northern Virginia region -- including Arlington County -- are encouraging residents to maintain their vigilance in preventing the spread of COVID-19 this fall and winter and throughout the holiday season.
Although Northern Virginia localities have some of the highest vaccination rates in the state -- 73% of Arlington's adult population is fully vaccinated -- there is still Substantial Community Transmission in Arlington, and we must remain vigilant to protect those who are not eligible for vaccination and those at higher risk for serious illness.
As the fall and winter holidays approach, friends and extended families will be getting together across the region and traveling throughout the United States and globally. With more people spending time indoors with others as cold weather sets in, public health leaders encourage everyone to maintain their layered prevention activities which may include:
- Get all eligible members of your family fully vaccinated, including booster shots, if appropriate.
- Wear a mask indoors when around those not in your household.
- Stay home when sick.
- Socially distance – stay six feet from others as much as possible.
- Avoid crowded and indoor areas where distancing is not possible, or where you will be in close contact with those whose vaccination status is unknown.
- If you think you may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed, get tested and follow guidelines for isolation and quarantine.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available. This will help prevent many diseases, including the seasonal flu.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, stay away from others and get tested 3-5 days after returning home from travel.
Arlington County Public Health is now offering COVID-19 vaccine boosters of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine for all fully vaccinated adults aged 18 years or older, by appointment only. Schedule your appointment online or visit Vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Arlington County's Public Health Division operates two clinics, Arlington Mill and Walter Reed Community Centers, which are regularly open Monday–Friday (11 a.m.–7 p.m.) and Saturday–Sunday (9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Please note the upcoming schedule updates:
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Nov. 25 – 26: Both clinics CLOSED for Thanksgiving
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Nov. 27 – 28: Walter Reed open for 5-11-year-old 2nd dose appointments only; no walk-ins of any kind. Arlington Mill CLOSED
- Effective Monday, Nov. 29, all 5-11-year-old vaccinations require an appointment
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Dec. 4 – 5: Open for 5-11-year-old 2nd dose appointments only; no walk-ins of any kind.
Walk-in and scheduled appointments remain available for 1st and 2nd doses at both clinics, unless noted above. Appointments are required for additional doses and booster doses.
Questions about COVID-19? Call the County's public information line at
703-228-7999, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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