Danvers Urges Caution As It Gives Trick-Or-Treating Green Light

DANVERS, MA — Danvers is allowing — though not exactly endorsing — trick-or-treating this Halloween amid the coronavirus health crisis.

Danvers is advising residents to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines this Halloween — which classifies traditional trick-or-treating as a "high risk" holiday activity.

"For a safe and happy Halloween, we recommend that residents follow the Halloween guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and adjust the traditional method of Trick-or-Treating to a safer method.

"However, trick-or-treating will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this year."

The town is advising those who do not want to take part in trick-or-treating for health, or any other, reasons to keep front porch lights shut off between those hours on Oct. 31.

"We ask that trick-or-treaters respect the households with the lights off," the town said.

Gov. Charlie Baker said two weeks ago he would not make a state mandate on trick-or-treating and would allow individual communities to decide what is best for them. Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll indicated she thought some residents would do it regardless, and also urged caution and rethinking traditional Halloween activities.

Baker added that he believes allowing children to go trick-or-treating outside for two hours is preferable than an indoor party where virus spread could be more prevalent.

Other activities the CDC considers "high risk" on the holiday include reaching into a communal bowl of candy and walking through an indoor haunted house.

Activities categorized as "moderate risk" are driveway trick-or-treating, outdoor costume parties and small outdoor costume parades.

Activities considered "low risk" include individual pumpkin carving, distanced scavenger hunts and family movie nights and remote costume parties.