How To Have A Safe Halloween: East Shore District Health

BRANFORD, CT — The East Shore District Health Department is sharing its guidance on how to have a safe Halloween. Noting that traditional trick-or-treating is a "high risk activity" due to the coronavirus, the health department says there are lots of other options for a safe, fun and yes, spooky Halloween.

East Shore Director of Health Michael Pascucilla told Patch that by not following the rules on social distancing and the prohibition of large gatherings, like Halloween parties, we can expect to see an uptick in cases after the holiday.

Utilizing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Public Health, East Shore says that the best trick-or-treating plan includes one-way trick-or-treating or treat bags or a large bowl of candy placed outside of homes for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance. For those preparing goodie bags, "wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags."

For those who choose to hand out candy, these tips:

• Before you answer the door, make sure your face covering is in place over your nose and mouth, wash or sanitize your hands before answering door.
• Remain six feet from the Trick-or-Treater.
• Place the candy inside the child’s bag for them instead of having them take it from the bowl themselves.

Other tips about trick-or-treating:

• Homes providing candy may set up hand sanitizer stations outside or parents/guardians can pack a travel bottle of their own.
• Parents/guardians should limit the number of homes their children visit.
• It is not recommended to trick-or-treat with people outside of your household.
• Remain six feet away from people outside your household at all times.
• All trick-or-treating participants should wear a mask or face covering while outside at all times.
• A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth or surgical mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and does not leave gaps around the face.
• Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth or surgical mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Do not wear a costume rubber mask over another face covering of any kind.

And what about parties?

Events to consider:

• In lieu of in-person house parties, host virtual Halloween events, e.g. virtual costume contests.
• Host drive-by Halloween events, e.g. neighborhood or town-based house decorating.
• Prepare candy scavenger hunts at homes with your household members.
• Have a Halloween movie night with the people in your household.

Halloween events the health department says should be avoided

• Large parties that exceed 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors
• Hosting an indoor party that exceeds 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors can result in a fine of $500
• Attending a party that exceed attendance rules can result in a fine of $250
• Large Halloween-themed parades where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming
• Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
• Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door (See Trick or Treating tips above)
• Trunk-or-treat events where cars gather in a large parking lot and allow children to move from car-to-car to collect candy.

Other guidance from East Shore health

• Restaurants that choose to host Halloween-themed events should strictly adhere to capacity and physical distancing guidance as outlined in Sector Rules.
• Colleges and universities should consider alternatives to on-campus costume parties or trick-or-treating between dorms, as these activities will be challenging to maintain physical distancing.