These last few months have felt like we’re living in a horror movie fueled by a deadly virus. Frankly, we’ve dealt with enough terror that Halloween feels a bit unnecessary this year. It won’t come as a huge shock that the CDC has released a guide of COVID-19 Halloween safety precautions that encourage everyone to continue to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus and protect their community.
Specifically, the CDC is encouraging people to avoid these activities that have been deemed higher risk activities due to close contact and crowds:
- Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating
- Indoor costume parties
- Indoor haunted houses
- Hayrides or tractor rides
- Traveling to a rural fall festival
If your neighborhood insists on having Halloween the CDC recommends making some slight adjustments. Rather than going from door to door, consider having a trick-or-treating parking lot where neighbors can fill their car trunks with goodies for kiddos to enjoy. The CDC also suggests having a pumpkin carving party with households socially distanced.
Celebrating with members of your household poses a low risk. Turn your basement into a spooky spot with homemade decor that will thrill your children. Virtual celebrations are harmless. Arrange a Zoom costume contest with your kid’s classmates—may the best ghoul win.
Some of these typical Halloween experiences such as haunted houses or hayrides may be safe to enjoy if the establishment is implementing strict COVID-19 regulations. Try to find experiences that allow you to buy tickets online and require a social distance of at least six feet in any lines. Only go places that require guests and staff to wear face masks. It’s best to do activities that keep groups separate. Use hand sanitizer frequently.
Remember that COVID-19 is spread by airborne transmission. Do you want to be near a stranger who is screaming and spewing their germs all over the place? Sounds like our worst nightmare. Terrifying indeed.