In what feels like a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, we were inundated with summer entertaining ideas this time of year. The latest trends in pool parties, carnivals, summer concerts, barbecues and other summertime activities would flood our social media feeds.
While entertaining friends and family is not completely off the table, many of us are conflicted about how, when and where to proceed with gatherings.
With the nation in different stages of reopening, combined with wildly opposing views on social distancing (or not), it has never been more confusing to determine the right time and place to host even a small-scale gathering.
How we entertain at home has changed and will continue to remain in a transitional period for the foreseeable future. But in an effort to stay connected, celebrate summer and sort out at least a little confusion, take a look at our guide on how to safely plan a small summer outdoor gathering.
Q: In terms of safety during the pandemic, how many people should I invite for a summer party?
A: The answer may vary depending on what phase of reopening your state is in.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Phase One recommends capping the number of people at 10, with social distancing. Phase Two raises the cap to 50, provided people can maintain social distancing.
That said, the CDC explains that "larger gatherings (for example, more than 250 people) offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission."