WAUTOMA, Wis.— With Christmas fast approaching, a Wisconsin doctor is urging people who plan to hold family gatherings to follow some guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Long Nguyen is a family physician for ThedaCare in Wautoma.

“We’re asking people to do things virtually,” Nguyen says. “If you are not able to or you are not willing to, then there are certain things that we can do to decrease the risk of transmission of this virus.”

Nguyen says he hopes families are smart and take certain measures if they are going to meet, so hospital systems don’t become more burdened than they already are during the pandemic.

“Wear your mask, washing your hands at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and then of course social distancing,” Nguyen says. “Even within the grounds of where you’re entertaining at, you want to make sure you distance appropriately.”

This is one tip he says could be very helpful, but it takes a certain amount of dedication from people.

“If you are a star student and or someone that is really gung-ho, then quarantine for 14 days prior to the gathering; it will really help limit the chances of you having it and then spreading it,” Nguyen says. “After the gathering, you definitely always want to try to quarantine for at least 14 days as well.”