Halloween & COVID-19
Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading COVID-19 or influenza. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween.
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person holiday festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Steps for Safer Trick-or-Treating
Wear a mask
• Make your cloth mask part of your costume.
• A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.
• Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask.
Keep 6 feet apart from others who do not live with you
• Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others.
• Choose a place to trick-or-treat where individually wrapped food or goodie bags are accessible for families to grab-and-go while continuing to maintain physical distance.
Clean your hands
• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
• Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.
Low Risk Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating
• Host a virtual Halloween costume contest.
• Have a Halloween movie night with people you live with.
• Create a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with the members of your household in or around your home.
Steps for Distributing Treats Safely
• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• Use bowls to distribute individually wrapped treats for kids to take.
• Wash hands before handling treats.
• Wear a mask.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
Reminder to residents who do not want to pass out candy this weekend to turn off their outside lights.
Download our Halloween Safety Handout below!