Negative coronavirus test doesn’t ‘clear’ you for holiday gatherings, health officials say

A coronavirus testing center at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Posted: Dec 22, 2020 / 09:10 AM PST

Updated: Dec 22, 2020 / 09:10 AM PST

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Amid growing signs that many people are not heeding warnings to avoid Christmas gatherings and travel, some people are getting COVID-19 tests in hopes of being “cleared” to enjoy the holidays in groups.

This happened before Thanksgiving with disastrous results: Many attended holiday events and got sick, causing the coronavirus to spread uncontrolled, filling hospitals and contributing to a worsening surge.

Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer urged people not to believe that a negative test result means it’s safe to attend or host a holiday gathering with people from more than one household.

“By the time you get a negative test result, you may no longer be negative,” Ferrer said. “And even if you have no symptoms, you can easily infect others.”

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