Many of the traditional ways in which we celebrate Halloween involve contact with the public in neighborhood and large group settings. With the risks of spreading COVID-19 and the governor’s limitations on large gatherings, it is important to find safe alternatives. Washington’s Department of Health, State Coronavirus Response Team, and the Clark County Health Department and the CDC have all compiled suggestions to help protect individuals and communities.  We’ve highlighted some of them below.

General Considerations

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween, it is important to keep the following in mind:

  1. Wear a cloth face covering. Make sure the face covering fits snugly over your nose and mouth
  2. Avoid confined spaces. Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities. If indoors, open windows and doors to increase ventilation.
  3. Avoid close contact with people outside of your household. Stay at least 6 feet away from all others
  4. Wash or sanitize your hands often. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
  5. Don’t feel well? Stay home! If you have symptoms of any kind, or have been exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19, just stay home.

Creative Celebration Alternatives

  • Have a scavenger hunt at home. Dress up and hide candy or other treats throughout the house or around the yard.
  • Organize a virtual costume party or pumpkin carving contest. Include spooky playlists to share or encourage prizes for best costumes/pumpkins.
  • Have a Halloween movie marathon with household members, or an online watch party with friends.
  • Decorate different doors at home and have your kids knock on each one to trick-or-treat.
  • Exchange candy with families you know. Do a drop-off delivery at their doorstep for a Halloween surprise for the kids.
  • Organize a neighborhood costume and bike parade with physical distancing. Use jack-o-lanterns to light the way.

If you decide to Trick-or-Treat:

  • Stick with members of your household and keep at least 6 feet of distance from any non-household members.
  • Wear a cloth face covering or mask if older than age 2.
  • Make sure the mask is snug around your nose and mouth and does not have holes. A plastic costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth face covering.
  • Wash your hands before and after trick-or-treating.
  • Bring plenty of hand sanitizer.

If you give out treats:

  • Limit candy to individually wrapped treat bags. This reduces the number of people who would typically touch items in a communal bowl.
  • If possible, place treats on a table in your driveway or yard to avoid crowds at your front door.
  • To see trick-or-treaters, sit in a chair in your driveway, garage, yard, or porch and maintain at least 6 feet of distance from the treat table
  • Place a few mini pumpkins or other decorations 6 feet apart to signal a line and keep trick-or-treaters distanced while waiting for treats

Discouraged Activities

  • Halloween gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members that violate the gathering limitations outlined in Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan.
  • Traditional trick or treating (handing candy to kids who knock on your door) and large groups of trick-or-treaters.
  • Trunk-or-treat gatherings with multiple households that facilitate crowding around treats and violate the gathering limitations outlined in Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan.
  • Indoor haunted houses are not permitted. Haunted houses must be designed as a no-touch outdoor activity with a one-way path.
  • Indoor trick-or-treating activities, such as those organized in malls or similar venues.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember to limit close contact with others outside your household, wear a cloth mask, and wash/sanitize your hands often!

 

Additional Resources:

Washington State Department of Health: Tips for a safer Halloween

Clark County Public Health: Tips for a healthy, happy Halloween