'There Will Be Halloween In RI' | Tips For Celebrating Safely

PROVIDENCE, RI — The coronavirus pandemic has made celebrating nearly all holidays impossible in 2020. With Halloween fast approaching, the question on many Rhode Islanders' minds is whether trick-or-treating can happen at all this year.

The good news, Gov. Gina Raimondo said Wednesday, is that there is a way for kids to get their candy this October, though, like everything else during the pandemic, things will look a bit different. Although Halloween is usually a time for all ages to celebrate, it's important to focus on the smallest celebrators this year to avoid a spike in coronavirus cases, she said.

"This year there will be Halloween in Rhode Island, but we have to be sensible about it," Raimondo said.

The most important thing is to avoid large gatherings of any kind and wear a mask, said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the Department of Health.

"A Halloween mask is not enough," she said, encouraging trick-or-treaters to get creative and decorate their fabric face covering or surgical mask to match their costume, maybe painting the rest of the face. "Masks are absolutely required ... The critical part is wearing a mask, even in small groups."

Although children have been given the green light to collect candy, adults — especially college students — are urged to avoid parties. Law enforcement will be on the lookout for Halloween parties, Raimondo said, and gatherings larger than 15 people will be broken up and participants punished.

"No big parties, we are going to be on high alert," she said. "Don't even think about it. We will bust your party and fine everyone $500."

College students, in particular, are asked to be extra observant of the ban on parties, since informal, unmasked gatherings have been identified as a culprit behind a spike in young adult cases.

The Rhode Island Department of Health offered the following suggestions to help everyone enjoy a safe and fun Halloween this year.

Trick-or-Treaters

• Avoid large groups: only go out with your small, stable group — ideally immediate members of the household.
• Outside is always better. Maintain distance from others when making the rounds.
• Wear a mask, and not just a Halloween costume mask. Wear the same face covering you would to school, work or in public.
• Bring hand sanitizer and clean hands frequently, ideally between each house.
• Stay home if you are sick, no exceptions.

Handing out candy

• Avoid answering the door with a large bowl of candy that children reach into.
• Keep candy separated by creating individual goodie bags or spacing wrapped treats on a baking sheet or step.
• Only put out a little candy at a time, and replenish it when no one is at the door.
• Wash hands frequently, and wear a mask if around anyone else.

Find more Halloween safety tips here.