Cherry Hill Providing No Trick-Or-Treaters Signs Amid Pandemic

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill residents who feel uncomfortable with trick-or-treating this Halloween amid the coronavirus pandemic will be able to post “no trick-or-treat” signs on their windows and doors this Oct. 31, township officials announced.

The signs read, “Sorry! No Candy Here. Treat You Next Year,” and can be downloaded on the township’s website. There will be no change in trick-or-treating hours in Cherry Hill, but township officials are advising residents to follow the safety guidelines set forth by the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hours will remain 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, as they have been for years, officials said. Police in marked and unmarked cars and also on bicycles will be patrolling local streets.

“Outdoor activities, as opposed to indoor parties and events, are recommended,” officials said in a statement. “Those planning celebrations or participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute for cloth or disposable masks. Individuals should minimize interaction and contact with others who are not a part of their household.”

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During a news conference last week, Gov. Phil Murphy set forth some safety guidelines, which include wearing a cloth or surgical mask beneath their costumes and trick-or-treating only with members of the same household. If trick-or-treating with people in different households, though, he recommended social distancing. Read more here: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Halloween Rules, Guidance Amid Coronavirus

Here are some rules and guidance Murphy spoke about on Monday:

• In place of placing treats in bags, the candy should be arranged way so that they can be accessed but can't be touched "multiple times."
• Those distributing candy should have treats individually packaged so trick-or-treaters can "grab and go" with no shared bowl.
• Trick-or-treaters and those distributing candy need to wear masks.
• Groups should be limited to household members.
• Groups should stay local.
• Trick-or-treaters should limit the number of homes on their route.
• Social distancing is required for groups who are not all from the same household
• Handing out candy is not recommended.
• Those distributing candy should wash your hands repeatedly.
• Commercially packaged and non-perishable treats are recommended.
• Outdoor trunk-or-treat events can be held, but the number of cars should be limited for social distancing. Lines should be single-file and socially distanced.

“As a reminder, no one should participate in these activities if they or a household member have a known exposure to COVID-19, are sick/symptomatic, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not yet met the criteria for discontinuing isolation,” township officials said.

Residents are advised to review and follow safety guidelines recommended by the NJ Department of Health and the CDC.

With reporting by Tom Davis

See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know