How to Plan for Halloween in a Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many moments that everyone has missed out on. These moments have included birthdays, graduations, and normal holiday traditions.

With Halloween right around the corner, it's important to take the best precautions for everyone's safety.

Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk in spreading viruses, including coronavirus. It’s important to look to professionals to get the best tips and practices. The CDC is always putting forth new and trustworthy information that the public can rely on.

This year, Trick-or-Treating isn't cancelled, but there are certain precautions to ensure everyone's safety.

Make Trick-or-Treating safer by:

• Avoiding direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• Giving treats in an outdoor setting.
• Setting up a station with treats for kids to take.
• Washing hands before and after handling treats.
• Wearing a mask and incorporate it into any costume (a costume mask is NOT a substitute for a cloth mask).

Keep yourself clean by:

• Bringing hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
• Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.

Not sure if participating in Trick-or-Treating is the best choice? There are still many fun and spooky activities that can keep the spirit of Halloween alive!

Other fun Halloween activities:

• Carve pumpkins with family or outside with a small group of friends.
• Visit a pumpkin patch or an orchard.
• Attend or host an outdoor Halloween movie night.
• Go to a one-way, walk-through haunted forest.
• Walk to different houses to look at Halloween decorations.

There are still many ways to make Halloween fun while ensuring the health and safety of everyone. Make the best decision for you and your family while planning Halloween activities.

Looking for even more updates about COVID-19? Then visit www.CDC.gov/coronavirus to learn more!

Stay healthy and safe, and Happy Halloween!