Halloween isn't cancelled in Chatham-Kent, but you should take extra precautions to protect yourself and your family this year.
That's the message from the municipality's medical officer of health, Dr. David Colby.
Another key part of his Halloween safety message this year is to avoid travelling or gathering in groups for any festivities you may be taking part in -- including trick-or-treating.
"Basically we want to discourage Halloween parties," said Colby. "We're trying to not have people gather together in groups because if anybody is contagious at that point, you have a whole group of people exposed."
Dr. Colby said it is best to stay outdoors if you are heading out to collect candy and to respect physical distancing if you are going to be handing out treats.
"Outdoor trick-or-treating can certainly be safe as long as kids from one household stick together with adult supervision," said Dr. Colby. "The prevalence [of COVID-19] is low in Chatham-Kent, but the situation can change at a moment's notice as we've seen before, so we're really hoping that this is a safe and fun time for everybody."
You can find a list of Dr. Colby's specific recommendations below:
- Trick-or-treat outside with your household in your community only – Stay with your household while trick or treating, limit the number of houses you visit and stay within your neighbourhood to avoid large potential COVID-19 exposure.
- Trick-or-treat at a distance – While trick-or-treating with your household, ensure that you physically distance (two metres) from others while collecting treats.
- Wear a proper face-covering – Everyone who is trick-or-treating or handing out treats should wear a face covering. A costume mask is not designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and may prevent you from being able to see or breathe. Consider building your face covering into your costume!
- Practice proper hand hygiene – Carry hand sanitizer while trick-or-treating, and wash your hands before going out and when coming home. If you are handing out treats, wash hands often!
- Use non-touch methods for handing out treats - Do not use self-serve candy bowls. Consider using a fun, not touch delivery method for candy such as a slide, catapult, candy bags or tongs.
- Check treats before eating – Before eating or investigating your treats, have a trusted adult (who has washed their hands) inspect them first.
- Avoid parties and gatherings – Parties and gatherings have the potential to cause widespread exposure of COVID-19. Gathering maximums for all private parties are still 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors and come with scary fines if you exceed these limits!
- Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are unwell – If you feel unwell, do not go out to collect treats or hand out treats: keep your community safe!
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams also released a statement on Monday, recommending that people in COVID-19 hotspots like the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa avoid traditional door-to-door trick or treating and consider alternative ways to celebrate.
Some of the suggestions he provided for those alternative celebrations include organizing a Halloween candy hunt for people within a particular household, carving pumpkins, and encouraging kids to dress up and participate in virtual activities and parties.
Provincial officials also said it is "critical that families not travel outside of their neighbourhood to celebrate Halloween."