How To Trick-Or-Treat Safely In Tucson

TUCSON, AZ — Halloween will have a much different feel in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trick-or-treating in large groups and hosting parties are against recommendations, but some people have found creative ways to keep the spirit of the annual Oct. 31 holiday.

Trick-or-treating is on in Tucson, though health officials recommend staying vigilant as coronavirus cases are on the rise in the area.

In a blog post about Halloween, Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ encouraged anyone wanting to trick-or-treat in 2020 to wear a face covering, social distance, avoid contact with high-touch surfaces and keep hand sanitizer nearby. She also recommended staying home if you feel sick. Homeowners should wear a mask or consider leaving candy outside for trick-or-treaters to grab.

Pima County health officials recommend avoiding gatherings with anyone outside of your household, which includes trick-or-treating, festivals, haunted houses and similar activities.

Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, where treats are handed directly to children, is considered a high-risk activity this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Unlike St. Patrick’s Day, when the pandemic was just a few days old, Halloween enthusiasts have had time to prepare for different kinds of celebrations this year.

Building a candy chute has been touted as a fast and fairly simple way to ensure trick-or-treaters can get the sweets without contact.

An Arlington, Virginia, woman told the Washington, D.C., ABC affiliate she bought a PVC pipe, had the kids paint it orange and black, decorated it and attached it to the porch.

Transforming a front yard into a candy graveyard and holding a Halloween egg hunt are among 14 other ideas for low-contact trick-or-treating shared by Fun365, a website that offers party, wedding and classroom ideas.

Lower-risk activities recommended by the CDC include carving pumpkins, decorating the house, having a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt and a virtual costume contest.

“If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters,” the CDC states.