Not sure what to do about Thanksgiving plans? Your questions answered

Keep it local. Keep it small. And if possible, move it outdoors.

Despite the fact that more than 80 per cent of eligible Canadians are now vaccinated against COVID-19, infectious disease specialists from across the country agree that people still need to be careful this year about gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend.

One important aspect to keep in mind is that the COVID-19 situation is different depending on where you are. It is important to check local public health guidelines and to be aware of how much COVID-19 is circulating in your area.

CBC News has received many questions from readers — on everything from whether a gathering of fully vaccinated people is safe, to mixing unvaccinated kids with vaccinated seniors and eating from shared dishes — and we're going to answer the most common ones with the help of three physicians from different parts of the country.

A list of current indoor gathering limits by province and territory can be found at the bottom of the story. You may click on the links provided for full details, including guidelines for outdoor private gatherings.

For the most part, yes. But the key is still to keep those gatherings small, especially in provinces where case numbers are still very high, such as Alberta.

"We have to recognize that the bigger the gatherings get that there is an element of risk, even with vaccination, because of the incredibly high rates of transmission in the community," said Dr. Stephanie Smith, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.