Halloween In MD: Avoid Risky Trick-Or-Treating, CDC Urges

MARYLAND — Traditional trick-or-treating, plus haunted house visits and other typical Halloween fun, should be avoided this year, say state and federal health officials. The coronavirus pandemic makes these gatherings high-risk to spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says trunk-or-treating, Halloween parties, and hayrides should all be avoided this holiday. Many Maryland cities and counties have yet to decide if they will allow trick-or-treating this year; Bel Air is going ahead with its Halloween on Main Street.

Marylanders can take part in outdoor celebrations, including trick-or-treating if they wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and avoid large crowds, the Maryland Department of Health told Patch. The agency urges people to frequently wash their hands and stay home if they are sick.

While bars and restaurants are open with restrictions in Maryland, state and local health departments, and law enforcement agencies continue to receive complaints about lack of social distancing and compliance with face coverings at these types of businesses, the agency said.

The CDC late Monday released its guidance for the holiday, and the news for Halloween lovers is grim.

"Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses," the CDC warned. Authorities suggest sticking to low-risk activities done by those in the same household, and mostly at home.

"Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses low risk for spread," the agency posted on its website Monday.

The CDC cautioned that those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 "should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters."

Many Maryland cities and counties have yet to speak out on trick-or-treating, but trick-or-treating will go on this year the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners decided. Montgomery County officials have yet to issue advice. Anne Arundel County officials told Patch they aren't releasing advice yet; Prince George's County has not responded to requests for comment.

Howard County discourages trick-or-treating door to door, but has not banned it; residents there are asked to leave treats on their porches or front stoops and not interact with trick-or-treaters.

The CDC says people should avoid high-risk Halloween activities, which include:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where candy is handed to children who go door to door.
• Having trunk-or-treat activities, where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

See also: 2020 Fall Foliage Peak Map: When Leaves Are Best In Maryland

Lower-risk alternatives

The CDC said there are options for medium- and low-risk Halloween fun, but it points out that "screaming" — in glee or fright — is not uncommon on Halloween and is of particular concern for those without masks.

A safer — though still "moderate risk" — way to trick-or-treat is "one-way" trick-or-treating, where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up at the end of a driveway or yard for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance.

The CDC said that if folks choose that route, when preparing treat bags, people should, "wash hands before and after making the bags."

Another "moderate risk" option, it says, is to have a "small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart." The CDC says people can attend a "costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart."

Importantly, authorities say, a costume mask is "not a substitute for a cloth 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 doesn't leave gaps around the face," the CDC said. "Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask."

Other activities considered to be "moderate risk":

• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, the wearing of masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing.
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family or friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart.
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.

Lowest-risk activities:

These lower-risk activities can be safe alternatives:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them.
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
• Decorating your house, apartment or living space.
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house and enjoying Halloween decorations at a distance.
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest.
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with.
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.

Jacob Baumgart, Patch Staff, contributed to this story.