Pima County Recommends Avoiding Trick-Or-Treating This Year

TUCSON, AZ — Pima County is recommending residents play it safe this Halloween in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including avoiding annual pastimes like trick-or-treating.

The Pima County Health Department released safety recommendations Tuesday, as many Halloween celebrations involve close contact with others. These recommendations do not appear to be requirements.

"Halloween is a fun and beloved tradition but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Pima County Health Department is asking everyone in the county to celebrate Halloween this year in a manner that reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19," the health department said in a news release.

In order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the county recommends avoiding trick-or-treating, parties with people outside of your household, live entertainment like haunted houses and "trunk or treat" events where children go from car to car to collect candy.

Instead, the county recommends safer activities like online parties or pumpkin carving contests, drive-in movies or car parades with a Halloween theme.

Arizona reported 484 new coronavirus cases and 22 deaths Tuesday, and hospitalizations are trending down. About 132 of those new cases came from Pima County.

“The entire 2020 holiday season will look different this year,” Dr. Theresa Cullen, director of the health department, said in a statement. “I encourage everyone to have fun, but do so safely. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween, it is important to continue to wear face masks, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, and follow physical distancing.”