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Health care workers advise getting COVID-19 test before and after Labor Day fun

The number of coronavirus cases is sloping down, but after past holidays there were spikes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The message from health care workers heading into Labor Day weekend can be summarized simply: Don't screw this up!

The number of COVID-19 cases is sloping down, but after past holidays there were spikes. Doctors say you can still have fun, but shouldn't let your guard down.

"We know what happened after Memorial Day and Fourth of July," said Matthew Rill, CEO of Telescope Health. "We went from an incidence of about one percent to up to almost 18% in Jacksonville. So it's not that we can't have fun we just need to do that safely."

Rill says the holiday weekend is an opportunity and we can do it right or wrong.

"Even though there's been good news we just can't relax," he said.

He says your best case scenario is to get a COVID-19 test before visiting people you don't normally see. 

If you're going on a trip like the state's travel agency is spending $13 million to encourage you to, wear your mask.

"Obviously our restaurants are still at 50% capacity so calling ahead, making that reservation if you can," said Nicole Chapman, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association northeast chapter director. "We want our hospitality employees back to work."

UNF Surf Team President Cameron Alvarez knows how he'll be social distancing and having fun this weekend.

"There's actually some waves coming in I think starting tonight or Friday all the way through the weekend so that's something you can do outside for sure," he said.

Mentally prepare for the safety changes you'll make this weekend so you actually stick to them.

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