Keep COVID-19 out of the Halloween fright: Take precautions and plan for a safe night

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reminding everyone to take steps to celebrate Halloween in a COVID-safe way. Simple actions can help limit the spread of COVID-19 and leave the scaring to the monsters and goblins.

“As Halloween approaches, get creative and consider the ways you can make your celebrations safer.  Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series by getting two doses and a third dose if you’re eligible.  Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, is an important step in protecting not only yourself, but the little ghosts and goblins who cannot yet get vaccinated as well. Remember to wear a mask, keep a distance, keep gatherings small, celebrate outdoors or go virtual, especially if individuals are unvaccinated or if the vaccination status is unknown.” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “We encourage everyone to find ways to limit the spread of the virus and still have a happy and fun Halloween,” said Dr. Sutcliffe.

COVID-safe Halloween tips

Have fun with your Halloween celebrations! Get spooky with decorations and admire Halloween decor at a distance, carve a pumpkin, host a virtual celebration like a costume contest, or come up with new ideas of your own. Follow the Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By—the choices we make now are critical to keep our schools, workplaces, and communities safe.

Trick-or-treating

While it is safest to stay home, if you choose to go door-to-door or hand out treats at home, take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are sick.
• Stay home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re mild.
• Trick-or-treat and hand out treats outside.
• Wear a well-fitting non-medical mask when going door-to-door or handing out candy. Find creative ways to build the well-fitting mask into your costume. Remember, a costume mask is not a substitute for a well-fitting mask.
• Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Stand two metres apart if you must wait.
• Stay near your door when handing out candy so ghosts and goblins can avoid high-touch surfaces and objects like door handles and doorbells. Keep interactions brief.
• Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for everyone to grab. Consider using tongs, long spoons, or other similar tools to hand out treats, or set up a table with pre-bagged treats to keep distance from trick-or-treaters.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Respect people by staying away from homes if the lights are out.

Hosting and attending indoor or outdoor events

If you choose to host or attend a Halloween indoor or outdoor event with people you do not live with, keep in mind the following tips:

• Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series by getting two doses and a third dose if you are eligible.
• Limit the size of your gathering. The fewer people who gather, the lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Consider the vaccination status of guests that will attend.
• Connect virtually with friends and family. Virtual events are safer if people in the group are unvaccinated or if their vaccination status is unknown.
• Host the event outdoors. Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. When outdoor gatherings are not possible, ensure proper ventilation indoors. If you do not have a ventilation system, open windows to increase air flow.
• Keep two metres distance from others and wear a mask if distancing is not possible.
• Do not attend or host a gathering if you have any symptoms or if you are self-isolating.
• Wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food. When eating, wash your hands before and after.
• Complete a contact log of all guests attending an in-person gathering.
• Avoid crowded places where physical distancing may be a challenge.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit www.phsd.ca/COVID-19. Keep connected with our Facebook and Twitter pages or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).