Halloween Is On In Metuchen, Announced Mayor In ‘Spooky’ Video

METUCHEN, NJ — Halloween is happening in Metuchen. Even though the pandemic has forced many to reconsider their trick-or-treating plans, with a few safety measures in place, borough residents can have a safe and fun Halloween.

Metuchen recently released a video featuring Mayor Jonathan Busch, offering residents simple suggestions and guidelines to follow. He asked residents to get creative – like using individual candy bags or designing ‘candy chutes’.

Residents who don’t want visitors can turn their porch lights off. Those who wish to have visitors need to print out the official “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome Here” sign to display on the front door.

Click here to get your sign: metuchennj.org/metnj/

Thirteen children from Metuchen helped Busch craft the informational video.

Check out the fun video here: https://www.facebook.com/mayor...

Meanwhile, the NJ Department of Health has shared some guidelines and suggestion for families.

For Trick-Or-Treaters

• Trick-or-treaters should limit their groups to household members.
• Consider staying local.
• Limit the number of houses you visit.
• Social distancing should be practiced by all who are not from the same household.

For Households Putting Out Treats:

• Limit interaction with trick-or-treaters.
• Wear a mask when someone’s at the door, and regularly wash hands.
• A better option is to leave a treat bowl on the porch, table or in a place where it can be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing rules.
• You can also arrange individually packaged candy so that trick-or-treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl.
• Consider coordinating with neighbors to develop a system, such as signs or on/off porch lights, for distinguishing houses participating in trick-or-treating from those that do not wish to participate.
• All candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable.

For Outdoor Trunk-Or-Treating

• Limit the number of participating cars.
• Make sure the outdoor area has sufficient space per car to avoid overcrowding and to allow social distancing.
• Follow outdoor gathering limitations.
• Consider having assigned times or shifts to minimize crowds.
• Wear a face mask. Children under two should not wear a cloth mask.

Halloween Parties

• Avoid large indoor or outdoor parties. Follow crowd limitation guidelines set by the town.
• Avoid participating in activities that require close contact and shared items like bobbing for apples

Haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes:

• Wear a cloth or disposable mask.
• Avoid indoor haunted houses. A better option would be to host an outdoor haunted house without live performers.
• Hayrides should limit the number of passengers per ride. Shared materials should be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
• Corn mazes should only permit individuals to proceed in one direction. Limit occupancy according to the applicable restrictions in effect. Avoid use of shared materials.

Here are some safe activities you can organize and participate in if not venturing outside.

• An online costume party.
• A drive through event where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through the neighborhood with Halloween displays.
• Carving pumpkins with the family.
• Decorating homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations.
• Halloween -themed movie night with family

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