CDC Readiness and Planning Tool to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 at Events and Gatherings 

As some communities in the United States begin to plan and hold events and gatherings, 

CDC offers the following readiness and planning tool to share ways event planners and 

administrators can help protect staff, volunteers, and attendees and slow the spread of 

COVID-19. This tool aligns with the Considerations for Events and Gatherings and 

includes the following: 

• General Readiness Assessment 

• Preparing for If Someone Gets Sick 

• Daily/Weekly Readiness Assessment 

• End-of-Day Actions and Resources

Event planners and administrators may review and complete the general readiness 

assessment while working with state and local officials as part of making initial preparations 

before the event to promote healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the 

spread of COVID-19. The daily/weekly readiness assessment may be used to monitor and maintain 

recommended practices. Planning tools are also included to help event planners and administrators prepare for if 

someone gets sick, plan after-event actions, and address the specific needs and circumstances of the local community. 

Implementation should be guided by what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs and context of 

each community.

Guiding Principles to Keep in Mind 

A gathering refers to a planned or spontaneous event, indoors or outdoors, with a small number of people participating, 

or a large number of people in attendance. Examples of gatherings, small or large, include a community event, concert, 

festival, conference, parade, wedding, or sporting event. 

• The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the 

individual’s potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and then spreading COVID-19 to others. 

• The higher the level of community transmission in the area where the gathering is held, the higher the risk of 

COVID-19 spreading at the gathering. 

• The size (attendance) of an event or gathering should be determined based on state, local, territorial, or tribal safety 

laws and regulations.

The risk of COVID-19 spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:

• Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.

• More risk: Smaller outdoor gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet 

apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., a community, town, 

city, or county). 

• Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are organized/laid out to allow individuals to remain spaced 

at least 6 feet apart, some wear cloth face coverings and come from outside the local area (e.g., a community, town, 

city, or county).

• Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, 

do not wear cloth face coverings and travel from outside the local area.

•

Events and Gatherings: Readiness and Planning Tool 

CS 317934-A July 6, 2020 7:51 AM

cdc.gov/coronavirus
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Events and Gatherings: General Readiness Assessment

Use the following tool when making initial preparation before the event to promote healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Policies and Procedures

Point Person(s): _________________________________

Review relevant local/state regulatory agency 

policies and orders, such as those related to events, 

gatherings, and travel. 

Consult local health officials about recommended 

COVID-19 testing policies for events and gatherings. 

Consult with the venue operators about their 

COVID-19 policies prior to the event. 

Develop a plan to conduct daily health checks (e.g., 

temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of 

staff and attendees. 

Develop a plan to allow for social distancing before, 

during, and after the event (e.g., limiting attendance 

and modifying layouts before the event, providing 

physical barriers during the event and staggering exit 

times after the event). 

Consider limiting event attendance to staff and 

attendees who live in the local area (e.g., community, 

city, town, or county) to reduce risk of spreading the 

virus from areas with higher levels of COVID-19. 

If attendance is open to staff and guests from other 

communities, inform attendees in advance so 

they can make an informed decision whether they 

will participate. 

Develop online attendance options in addition to 

in-person attendance to help reduce the number of 

attendees at the event. 

Develop a flexible refund policy. 

Designate a staff person responsible for responding to 

all COVID-19 related situations and concerns. Make 

sure other staff and attendees know how to contact 

this person. 

Facilities and Supplies

Point Person(s): _________________________________

Obtain supplies including: 

soap 

water for hand hygiene 

hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) 

paper towels 

tissues 

cleaning supplies 

EPA approved disinfection supplies 

cloth face coverings 

no-touch/foot pedal trash cans 

no-touch soap/hand sanitizer dispensers 

gloves 

disposable food service items 

other: __________________________________

Develop a schedule for increased routine cleaning 

and disinfection. 

Close shared spaces (e.g., a lounge); otherwise develop 

a plan for staggered use of these spaces and cleaning 

and disinfecting. 

Develop a plan for the safe and correct use and 

storage of cleaners and disinfectants, including 

storing products away from children. 

Education and Training

Point Person(s): ____________________________

Create a plan for educating staff and attendees 

to ensure they know that they should not come 

to the event if they become sick with COVID-19 

symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have 

been exposed to someone with symptoms 

or someone suspected or confirmed to have 

COVID-19. Make sure they know that if they 

get sick at the event, they should notify event 

administrators (e.g., the designated COVID-19 

point of contact) right away. 

Develop protocols to educate staff on flexible 

work and leave policies that encourage sick staff 

members to stay at home without fear of job 

loss or other consequences. 

Create a plan for educating staff and attendees 

about who should wear cloth face coverings, and 

communicate the importance of wearing them 

to both staff and attendees. Cloth face coverings 

should not be placed on. 

• children younger than 2 years old 

• anyone who has trouble breathing or is 

unconscious 

• anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise 

unable to remove the cover without help 

Create information on proper use, removal, and 

washing of cloth face coverings and distribute 

to staff members. 

Create and implement training to be delivered 

to staff on all COVID-19 safety protocols: 

•Conduct training virtually or maintain social 

distancing during training 

Other: _________________________________
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Events and Gatherings: General Readiness Assessment 

(continued from previous page)

Policies and Procedures

Develop policies that encourage sick staff members 

to stay at home without fear of job loss or other 

consequences. Protect their privacy, particularly for 

those with underlying medical conditions and at 

higher risk for severe illness). 

Develop options for staff at higher risk for 

severe illness (e.g., telework or virtual learning 

opportunities). 

Develop flexible sick leave policies and practices. 

Develop options for flexible worksites 

(e.g., telework) and flexible work hours 

(e.g., staggered shifts). 

Develop a plan to monitor absenteeism of staff, 

cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained 

back-up staff. 

Develop a transportation and parking plan to limit 

contact between attendees (e.g., staggered arrival and 

ride share drop-off times or locations). 

Develop a plan for if someone gets sick or shows 

symptoms of COVID-19 while at the event or venue. 

(See Preparing for If Someone Gets Sick). 

Develop a plan to safely serve food, beverages, and 

merchandise, if applicable. Refer to CDC’s COVID-19 

considerations for restaurants and bars for guidance. 

Other: _____________________________________

Facilities and Supplies

Make sure ventilation systems operate properly. If using 

fans, make sure they do not blow from one person onto 

another, and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as 

possible (e.g., opening windows and doors). 

Make sure water systems and features are safe to use after a 

prolonged facility shutdown. 

Develop a plan to use touchless payment options . 

Develop a plan to use multiple entrances and exits to 

discourage crowding in waiting areas. 

Develop a plan to change seating layout or availability of 

seating, or block off rows or sections so that attendees can 

stay at least 6 feet apart. 

Create and install physical barriers, such as sneeze guards 

and partitions, in areas where it is difficult for individuals 

to remain at least 6 feet apart. 

Create physical guides, such as tape on floors and signs on 

walls, to promote social distancing. 

Develop a plan to eliminate lines or queues if possible or 

encourage people to stay at least 6 feet apart by providing 

signs or other visual cues such as tape or chalk marks in 

congregation areas such as entrances, exits, and restrooms 

if a 6-foot distance between attendees is hard to ensure. 

Develop a plan to reconfigure parking lots, limit 

congregation points and ensure proper separation (e.g., 

closing every other space). 

Purchase adequate supplies to minimize sharing of 

materials, or limit use to one per family or group of 

individuals at a time, and clean and disinfect between use. 

Ensure organizations that share the venue facilities such as 

food vendors are aware of and follow all safety protocols. 

Other: _____________________________________
4

Events and Gatherings: General Readiness Assessment

Use the following tool when making initial preparations before the event to promote healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Communication and Messaging

Point Person(s): ____________________________________

Develop a plan to create and disseminate clear messages (e.g., videos) about 

behaviors that prevent spread of COVID-19 to staff and attendees before 

the event: 

websites 

email 

social media accounts

other ______________________________________

Create and post signs in highly visible locations that promote everyday protective 

measures such as wearing cloth face coverings and that describe how to stop the 

spread of germs in: 

entrances 

dining areas

restrooms 

other ______________________________________

Develop a plan to communicate with partner organizations such as vendors to 

ensure that they are aware of all of your COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Develop signs and communication (e.g., videos) in alternative formats (e.g., large 

print posters, braille, American Sign Language) for people who have limited vision, 

or are blind, or people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Consider posting signs for the national distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990, text 

TalkWithUs to 66746; The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, 

TTY 1-800-787-3224; and The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-

TALK (8255). 

Develop regular announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19 to be 

broadcast on public address systems. 

Create a plan for communicating with staff and attendees about whom to contact 

if they have questions and concerns related to COVID-19. 

Other: ________________________________________

Action Planning—Notes and Next Steps

Point Person(s): ___________________________

Use this space to note any required resources and next steps, or potential barriers 

and opportunities: 
5

Events and Gatherings: Preparing for if Someone Gets Sick

Use the following tool when making initial preparations before the event for if someone gets sick with COVID-19.

Before Someone Gets Sick

Point Person(s): _______________________________

Create a plan to educate staff and attendees to 

ensure they know that they should not come to 

the event If they become sick with COVID-19 

symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have 

been exposed to someone with symptoms or 

someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 

Make sure they know that if they get sick at the 

event, they should notify event planners (e.g., the 

designated COVID-19 point of contact) right away. 

Develop systems to: 

Allow staff and attendees to self-report to 

administrators if they have symptoms of 

COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or 

were exposed to someone with COVID-19 

within the last 14 days. 

Notify individuals of closures and restrictions 

put in place to limit COVID-19 exposure. 

Develop staff policies for returning to the 

venue after COVID-19 illness. CDC’s criteria to 

discontinue home isolation and quarantine can 

inform these policies. 

Identify and create an isolation room or area to 

separate anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms 

or who has tested positive but does not have 

symptoms. 

Develop procedures for safely transporting anyone 

who is sick to their home or to a healthcare facility. 

Develop a plan to support staff and attendees 

experiencing trauma or challenges related to 

COVID-19. 

Other: ___________________________________

Notes and Next Steps: 

When Someone Gets Sick

Point Person(s): _______________________________

Immediately separate individual(s) with COVID-19 

symptoms from others. 

Safely transport sick individuals home or to a 

healthcare facility, depending on how severe their 

symptoms are. 

If calling an ambulance or bringing someone to 

the hospital, try to call first to alert them that the 

person may have COVID-19. 

Close off areas used by a sick person and do not 

use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting

them (for outdoor areas, this includes surfaces or 

shared objects in the area, if applicable). 

Advise sick individuals that they should not return 

to the venue until they have met CDC’s criteria to 

discontinue home isolation. 

Other: ___________________________________

After Someone Gets Sick

Point Person(s): _______________________________

In accordance with state and local laws and 

regulations, notify local health officials, staff, 

and families of a person with COVID-19 while 

maintaining the individual’s confidentiality in 

accordance with the Americans with Disabilities 

Act (ADA). 

Notify individuals of closures and restrictions put 

in place due to COVID-19 exposure. 

Advise those who have had close contact with a 

person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home, 

self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC 

guidance if symptoms develop. 

Close off the area and wait at least 24 hours 

before cleaning and disinfecting. If 24 hours is 

not feasible, wait as long as possible. Make sure 

of safe and correct use and storage of cleaning 

and disinfection products, including storing them 

securely away from children. 

Other: ___________________________________
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Events and Gatherings: Daily/Weekly Readiness Assessment

Use the following tool the day of and during the event to monitor and maintain healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Policies and Procedures

Point Person(s): _______________________________

Maintain regular contact with local health 

authorities to ensure adherence to their most upto-date guidance. 

Ensure an on-duty staff person is assigned to be 

responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. 

Monitor absenteeism of staff. 

Ensure the roster of trained back-up staff is 

updated in case a staff member is sick. 

Conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature 

screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and 

attendees, if feasible. 

Ensure staff are using flexible worksites (e.g., 

telework) and flexible work hours (e.g., staggered 

shifts) when needed. 

Ensure staff and attendees have received 

communication about all safety protocols and 

COVID-19 related policies. 

Ensure that attendees have received 

communication about refund policies if they get 

sick and cannot attend the event. 

Ensure that all protocols developed, to limit 

contact between staff and attendees and ensure 

that attendees can maintain 6 feet of distance, are 

implemented. 

Ensure limited opportunities for both staff and 

attendees to share objects. 

Ensure the broadcasting of regular announcements 

on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on public 

address systems throughout the event. 

Facilities and Supplies

Point Person(s): ___________________________________

Monitor and restock supplies including: 

soap 

water for hand hygiene 

hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) 

paper towels 

tissues 

cleaning supplies

EPA-approved disinfection supplies 

cloth face coverings

no-touch/foot pedal trash cans 

no-touch soap/hand sanitizer dispensers 

disposable food service items 

gloves 

other: ____________________________________

Monitor adherence to the schedule for increased, 

routine cleaning and disinfection of: 

frequently touched surfaces 

communal spaces 

shared objects 

other: ____________________________________

Monitor availability and use of gloves when removing 

garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. 

Education and Training

Point Person(s): ___________________________

Ensure that staff and attendees have 

received communication that they should 

not come to the event if they become sick 

with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for 

COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone 

with symptoms or someone with suspected 

or confirmed COVID-19. Make sure they 

know that if they get sick at an event, they 

should notify event administrators (e.g., the 

designated COVID-19 point of contact). 

Ensure that staff have reviewed the policies 

on flexible work and leave that encourage sick 

staff members to stay at home without fear of 

job loss or other consequences. 

Reinforce and monitor handwashing with 

soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using 

hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol 

if soap and water are not readily available. 

Encourage staff to cover their mouth and nose 

with a tissue when coughing and sneezing and 

then wash hands with soap and water for at 

least 20 seconds. 

Ensure that communication about the proper 

use of cloth face coverings is easily seen 

or heard by staff and attendees. Cloth face 

coverings should not be placed on. 

• children younger than 2 years old 

• anyone who has trouble breathing or 

is unconscious . 

• anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise 

unable to remove the cover without help 
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Events and Gatherings: Daily/Weekly Readiness Assessment 

(continued from previous page)

Policies and Procedures

Review the most recent local/state regulatory 

agency policies for updates. 

Other: ___________________________________

Facilities and Supplies

Monitor safe and correct use and storage of cleaners 

and disinfectants, including storing products securely 

away from children. 

Ensure adequate ventilation when cleaners and 

disinfectants are used to prevent staff and attendees 

from inhaling toxic fumes. 

Monitor ventilation systems to determine if they are 

operating properly. 

Ensure that touchless payment options are operational. 

Ensure all physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and 

partitions, in areas where it is difficult for individuals to 

remain at least 6 feet apart are installed correctly. 

Ensure that all physical guides, such as tape on floors 

and signs on walls, to promote social distancing are 

easily seen. 

Ensure that all changes to the venue such as seating 

layout, entrances and exits are well marked and easy to 

understand. 

Ensure the staggered use and cleaning and disinfecting 

between uses of shared spaces. 

Ensure the circulation of outdoor air as much as 

possible throughout the event (e.g., opening windows 

and doors). 

Ensure that adequate supplies are available to minimize 

sharing of high-touch materials and monitor cleaning 

and disinfecting between use. 

Other: ______________________________________

Education and Training

Ensure that information on proper use, 

removal, and washing of cloth face coverings

is available. 

Ensure that all staff present have been trained 

on relevant COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Other: _______________________________ 
8

Events and Gatherings: Daily/Weekly Readiness Assessment

Use the following tool the day of and during the event to monitor and maintain healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Communication and Messaging

Point Person(s): _________________________________

Ensure that signs are placed in highly visible 

locations that promote everyday protective 

measures such as wearing cloth face coverings 

and that describe how to stop the spread of 

germs at: 

entrances 

dining areas 

restrooms 

other _____________________________

Continue to provide or update clear messages 

(e.g., videos) about behaviors that prevent 

spread of COVID-19 when communicating 

with staff and families on: 

websites 

email 

social media accounts

other _____________________________

Ensure that partner organizations such as 

vendors have received communication about 

all COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Ensure signs and communication (e.g., videos) 

in alternative formats (e.g., large print posters, 

braille, American Sign Language) for people 

who have limited vision or are blind or 

people who are deaf or hard of hearing are 

readily available. 

Make sure all staff and attendees have been 

informed which staff person is responsible for 

responding to COVID-19 concerns and how to 

contact them. 

Encourage staff to take breaks from watching, 

reading, or listening to news stories about 

COVID-19, including social media if they are 

feeling overwhelmed or distressed throughout 

the event. 

Promote healthy eating, exercising, getting 

sleep, and finding time to unwind among staff 

to help them cope with stress. 

Encourage staff to talk with people they trust 

about their concerns and how they are feeling. 

Other: _______________________________

Action Planning—Notes and Next Steps

Point Person(s): _________________________________

Use this space to note any required resources and next 

steps, or potential barriers and opportunities: 
9

Events and Gatherings: End-of-Day Actions and Other Resources

Use the following resources to conduct end-of-day actions and address any additional considerations specific to your program or community context.

Other Considerations

Point Person(s): ______________________________

Use this space to note any other considerations unique 

to your program or community context. 

Other Resources

Point Person(s): _______________________________

• Latest COVID-19 Information

• Cleaning and Disinfection

• Guidance for Businesses and Employers

• Guidance for Schools and Childcare Centers

• Guidance for Park Administrators

• Shared and Congregate Housing

• COVID-19 Prevention

• Handwashing Information

• Face Coverings

• Social Distancing

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

• People at Higher Risk

• People with Disabilities

• Coping with Stress

• HIPAA and COVID-19

• CDC communication resources

• Community Mitigation

End-of-Day Actions

Point Person(s): _______________________________

Meet with the emergency operations coordinator 

and/or planning team(s) to discuss and note 

lessons learned. 

Determine ways to improve planning and 

implementation processes if the event will 

happen again. 

Inform staff and attendees of any changes made. 

Update your plans regularly according to the state 

and local situation and orders. 

Other: _______________________________