Safety is always on parents' minds as their children prepare to head into the night for trick-or-treating tonight. The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) released recommendations for celebrating during the COVID-19 pandemic to help stop the spread and to make everyone’s festivities filled with fun while protecting loved ones.
Safety measures recommended by the CDC:
- In preparation for the holidays, it’s recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Especially during Halloween as many ghosts, ghouls and goblins are children under 12 and are unable to be vaccinated yet.
- Regardless of vaccination status, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends individuals to follow face covering guidance that requires masks indoor for all persons outside their residence. It is recommended to incorporate facial coverings in costumes. However, costume masks are not a substitute for facial coverings, and should not be worn with another facial covering as it can be unsafe and limit breathing.
- Before and after dipping into any candy, implement personal hygiene practices such as wash your hands, and bring hand sanitizer to apply throughout the night. It is recommended to clean your hands when touching items, people, animals or surfaces.
- Maintain social distancing and ensure there is decent ventilation in any environment with gatherings. Avoid areas with large crowds.
- Similarly, the CDC’s Holiday Celebrations page may provide tips through the holidays to help protect loved ones.
When planning to hand out tricks, treats and sweets to monsters roaming through the night, consider the following:
- Set up “grab and go” stations with single packaged bags for kids to grab at each stop, making it easier to implement social distancing.
- Limit treats to commercially packaged, non-perishable items to prevent the risk of getting sick.
- Mark out physically spaced lines leading up to the door with tape. A wrapping paper tube can be used to slide candy into treat bags.
- Hand sanitizer stations should be taken into consideration to help visitors clean their hands.
Costume parties, parades, drive-thru's and community events are all common celebratory practices for Halloween. To maintain safety of event-goers, some things to keep in mind are:
- To ensure the implementation of face masks for any indoor activities such as school or work regardless of vaccination status and be mindful of the number of people in attendance.
- Pumpkin patches and apple orchards are good alternatives to an indoor event. Remember to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before and after touching what you pick.
- Look for programs offered by partner organizations that have fun, but safe local attractions, or other outdoor venues in the area.
Other alternatives for celebration:
- Virtual parties and contests, watching a spooky movie or virtual trick or treating.
- Decorate homes or yards with Halloween-themed decorations with close friends or household members.
- Create fall crafts and cook up spooky recipes with close friends or household members.
- Create a scavenger candy hunt with close friends or family as an alternative for trick-or treating.
