Chesapeake In The Know

Halloween is coming and everyone wants to know: how can we trick-or-treat in a COVID-19 world? The Virginia Department of Health’s guidance for holiday gatherings is the same as it is for everything else: avoid close contact with people who don’t live in your house, wear a cloth mask, and practice physical distancing and frequent and proper hand washing. When deciding whether or not to participate in Halloween activities this year, it's important to keep in mind the many changes that COVID-19 has caused. If you and your family do decide to participate, please consider the following tips.  

For those who want to Trick-or-Treat:

1. Wear a cloth mask. Costume masks that have holes or do not fit snugly to the face, covering both the nose and mouth, will not provide the necessary protection. 
2. Wash your hands before and after trick-or-treating and use antibacterial in between each stop. 
3. Only go out with those who live in your household. Avoid crowds and maintain 6 feet of distance between your group and others. Don’t allow children to rush up to houses that may already have a group waiting for candy. Wait your turn to maintain distance.
4. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick or has been around someone else who was sick, do not go trick-or-treating.

For those who want to give out candy

1. Wear a cloth mask.
   
2. Wash your hands constantly throughout the event. 
3. Avoid having trick-or-treaters come to your door. Set up a bowl outside that they can pick from themselves. Even better, set up a table that will help you maintain your distance from the trick-or-treaters and that you could use to spread your candy out, to avoid having everyone reach into the same bowl and to help excited kids remain physically distant.
   
4. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick or has been around someone else who was sick, do not hand out candy.  

There is no way to guarantee a COVID-free Halloween so it's important for every family to weigh the risks. If you plan to participate, please do so following all health safety guidelines. For a list of other options, including low-moderate-high risk options, view the guidelines released by the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.