Nashua OKs Trick-Or-Treating On Halloween — With Guidelines

NASHUA, NH — The city of Nashua is allowing Halloween trick-or-treating to be held on Oct. 31, with safety guidelines, for now.

The city, after consulting with police, is allowing trick-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. The city of Nashua’s Department of Public Health and Community Services is requesting parents and hosts work though to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

If your children are sick or you are sick, refrain from participating in in-person Halloween activities — stay home if you are not feeling well, avoid large gatherings, and find other ways to celebrate the holiday.

Participants should wear a face covering — and not just a costume mask which is not a replacement for a cloth face covering.

Health officials also suggest handing out treats in creative ways that promote social distancing. Do not place treats in a grab bowl. Practice frequent hand-cleaning while handing out candy and use hand sanitizer while trick-or-treating. And wash hands with soap and water immediately after returning home.

"Residents can also host a stay-at-home activity, like a family scavenger hunt or an at-home trick-or-treat," Kerry Miller, a public information officer for the city, said. "When handing out candy, individually wrap goodie bags and line them up for trick-or-treaters to grab at the end of your driveway or edge of a yard, in an effort to encourage social distancing. If you do not want trick-or-treaters coming to your door, turn off your outside lights."

All children, police and health officials said, should be accompanied by an adult, should walk on sidewalks, and use crosswalks. Carrying a glow stick and/or a flashlight and be aware of your surroundings is also important. Motorists should drive slowly and stay alert — watch for children crossing the street, enter and exit driveways slowly and after dark, keep a lookout for trick-or-treaters wearing dark-colored clothing.

Miller said Nashua’s trick-or-treating hours are subject to change — based on rates of COVID-19 in Nashua in late October.

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