Gloucester Twp. Trick-Or-Treat Hours A Recommendation: Officials

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The recommended trick-or-treating hours of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Gloucester Township on Oct. 31 are just that: a recommendation.

This is what Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said during Wednesday night’s council meeting at town hall, after resident Sam Sweet asked if the hours could be changed for working parents and children who play sports on Saturdays.

“Those are not set hard times,” Harkins said. “Since 2014, it’s been more of a recommendation. We’ll be out, we’ll have a robust presence, but we have never made curfew arrests since I've been here. It’s more of a recommendation.”

Council previously set curfew hours, but rumors that Halloween had been canceled back in 2013 put an end to that practice. Additionally, the township has “no trick-or-treat” signs for any Gloucester Township residents who feel uncomfortable handing out candy amid the pandemic.

The signs read, “Happy Halloween! Sorry, no trick-or-treat here. Thank you and see you next year!” The signs can be downloaded for printing on the township’s website.

The township said it is strongly encouraging residents to use their best judgement and wear a cloth or surgical mask underneath their Halloween costume.

This was one of the recommendations made by Gov. Phil Murphy when he addressed Halloween during a news conference last week. Read more here: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Halloween Rules, Guidance Amid Coronavirus

Township officials also recommended following social distancing guidelines while walking the neighborhoods. Murphy had advised trick-or-treating only with members of the same household. If trick-or-treating with people in different households, though, he recommended social distancing.

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Here are some rules and guidance Murphy spoke about last week:

• 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.

"Please use your own discretion when evaluating risks associated with your child trick-or-treating this year," township officials said in a statement. "If you are worried about possible COVID-19 exposure, please refrain from participating and opening your door to trick-or-treaters. Celebrate safely and smart."

Over the last five days, there were a total of 19 new cases of the coronavirus identified in Gloucester Township, according to Camden County officials. As of Wednesday, there are 1,134 total cases of the virus in Gloucester Township and 62 confirmed deaths. Trace investigations are underway in all new cases.

Countywide, there are 11,359 cases of the coronavirus and 559 confirmed deaths. According to the Camden County Department of Health, there are 1,516 confirmed cases among residents at the county's long-term care facilities, with 332 deaths. Another 623 cases were reported among staff members, with three deaths.

"We have been calling attention to a troubling rise in cases recently, and unfortunately, that trend appears to be continuing," Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said on Tuesday. "Today, Camden County's seven-day average of new cases is 56, the highest it has been since June 6. We are experiencing a surge in cases that we have not seen since the spring, and we have to respond in kind. Now is the time to reduce your potential exposures to this virus, limit your contact with groups, and strictly adhere to mask usage, social distancing, and other public health recommendations. We need everyone to take this seriously, or we are on course for a very difficult winter."

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