With turkey, thankfulness, and togetherness at top of our list, B.C. health experts have some tips on how to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, without giving COVID-19 a chance.

This weekend is Thanksgiving, but in these interesting times it will take sacrifice and adapting, according to B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Get creative, but stick to the basics when it comes to COVID hygiene practices and don't forget to be meticulous about handwashing, covering coughs, and wearing non-medical masks or face coverings where appropriate.

How To Give Thanks Safely

Avoid shared meals or shared utensils. Do not use the same serving spoon. Do not eat from the same plate and hand it across the table.

Sticking to six people is the recommendation from Dr. Henry, even within that bubble of six, people need to adapt during Thanksgiving, upcoming holidays and celebrations.

Keep the celebrations shorter than you usually would. Don’t have the long, prolonged meals because risk of spreading the virus increases with the duration of an exposure within a close space.

Henry reiterated this message by saying, "Make our celebration large in thanks, large in gratitude, but small in size." She said there's no need to leave family and friends out, but make the connection by phone or video call.  "Make sure you have ways to include others that you might normally have in the room with you, remotely," Henry said.

Opt out of a buffet style meal, serve individual plates of food instead and sit apart from those not in your household.

Or spend Thanksgiving outdoors if you can.

Thanksgiving To Go

If you are planning to have a small group over to mark the day, some restaurants are stepping in with their own holiday hack and prepping Thanksgiving to-go packages to order.

If you are preparing the meal yourself make sure there are few people involved in the actual cooking.

Henry said getting creative is the name of the game when it comes to the holiday season. With Thanksgiving just days away, it could be the first look at how future holidays can be spent safely.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!