Eating indoors with others is driving COVID-19 transmission

COVID-19 cases are increasing significantly in the St. Louis region and on the Danforth Campus. Contact tracing has indicated that a large number of cases are happening due to people eating together indoors. This behavior is risky even when people gather in small groups and wear masks while not eating or drinking.

While it is difficult to be separated from friends and colleagues, we must continue to take all precautions to avoid COVID-19 transmission, including not eating with others in the same indoor space. When finding a space to eat alone is not possible, it’s important to stagger eating times so that only one person is unmasked at a time, and always maintain more than six feet of distance.