Salem: Trick-Or-Treating A Family 'Decision' Amid Coronavirus

SALEM, MA —Trick-or-treating will be allowed in Salem this Halloween amid the coronavirus health crisis for city residents only.

The city called the decision to take part in the traditional Halloween activity "one that individual families must make on their own" despite rising coronavirus numbers in the city and a surge in cases statewide.

"Those who choose to engage in trick-or-treating should comply with the public guidance issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health," the city said in a statement.

The city said residents of neighboring cities and towns should not come to Salem to trick-or-treat that night.

The state guidelines can be found here.

Those who do not wish to take part in trick-or-treating are asked to turn off their porch lights early on Oct. 31.

"You're in a city where we're purists," Mayor Kim Driscoll allowed at a news conference on Oct. 6. "Folks are probably going to go out."

Gov. Charlie Baker said that day while visiting Salem the decision on whether to allow trick-or-treating will be left up to individual communities, and that he would rather have children trick-or-treat in small groups than come together at indoor parties.

The Centers for Disease Control has designated traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating as a "high risk" activity in its holiday guidance.

Other activities CDC considers "high risk" on the holiday include reaching into a communal bowof 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.

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