Halloween In Braintree May Look A Little Different This Year

BRAINTREE, MA — As anyone who has been near the candy aisle at the grocery or drug store can attest, Halloween is around the corner. But this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, families and health departments are noting the holiday will look considerably different.

Although it's not canceled in Braintree, U.S. Health officials are recommending that residents be extremely careful if they choose to do the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating this Halloween or other activities that risk transmission of the coronavirus. Town officials have asked that residents heed that caution as well.

Mayor Charles Kokoros said Halloween hours will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 31. In accordance with CDC guidelines and recommendations from the Braintree Board of Health, the following tips are recommended to ensure a fun and safe Halloween for all:

Trick-or-treating

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and your mouth and is effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19
• Maintain 6 feet physical distance from anyone not in your household
• Avoid large groups or clustering at doorsteps
• Do not eat candy while trick-or-treating
• Avoid touching your face
• Consider bringing hand sanitizer
• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating any candy

Handing out candy

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and your mouth and is effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19
• Maintain 6 feet physical distance from trick-or-treaters
• Consider pre-packaging individual candy bags and placing them on a table or in a bowl for trick-or-treaters to take from
• Consider placing candy at the end of your walkway, driveway or the front of your yard on a table
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after placing candy into individual candy bags

Please refrain from participating in Halloween activities and stay home if:

• You have symptoms of COVID-19
• Are feeling unwell
• Have COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19