Coronavirus: Children can be within 3 feet of each other at summer camp, CDC says

Children at summer camps can play as long as they don’t get within three feet of each other, according to guidance issued Saturday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

>> Read more trending news

The guidance emphasizes social distancing, mask wearing and vaccinations.

“Consistent and layered use of multiple prevention strategies can help camps open safely for in-person activities; protect children, families, and staff; and slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19,” the agency said.

Children should maintain social distance of at least three feet and six feet when eating and drinking, health officials said. Camp counselors and other adults should maintain a distance of 6 feet from children and other adults.

Camp activities should be held outdoors as often as possible. For indoors activities, doors and windows are recommended to be left open.

Even with ongoing vaccination efforts across the U.S., none of the three approved shots are authorized for use in people under the age of 16. Because of that, even fully vaccinated employees must adhere to mask wearing and distancing protocols. While fewer children have become sick, they can still get infected with the coronavirus and spread it to others.

“Camp administrators, working with local public health officials, should assess the level of community transmission to understand the burden of disease in the community,” the agency said. “The higher the level of community transmission, the more likely that the virus that causes COVID-19 will be introduced into the camp facility from the community, which could lead to in-camp transmission if layered prevention strategies are not in use.”

Cox Media Group