October has arrived and that means that Halloween is less than a month away.
Ahead of this year, the BC Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has released a set of guidelines to help the province navigate Halloween safely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The BC CDC is pushing the message, “Celebrate less socially and trick-or-treat locally this Halloween!”
Health officials are encouraging trick-or-treaters to participate in the activity in small groups and only with people in the same social bubble.
The BC CDC is advising British Columbians to try to incorporate a non-medical mask or face covering into costumes. With this in mind, officials are suggesting that costume masks should not be worn over non-medical masks or face coverings as that may make it difficult to breathe.
Health officials are asking for anyone trick-or-treating to stay in their own neighbourhoods this year and avoid busy areas or indoors (in places like malls).
It is also being recommended that homeowners find creative ways to hand out treats while keeping physical distance and limiting contact. For any homeowner feeling ill, the BC CDC asks them to turn off their porch lights and stay home.
For handing out candy, BC CDC says that homeowners can also follow these Halloween guidelines to help create a safer experience:
- Use tongs, a baking sheet or make a candy slide to give more space when handing out candy.
- Plan to hand out individual treats instead of offering a shared bowl.
- Only hand out sealed, pre-packaged treats.
- Stay outside when possible and disinfect doorbells, knobs and handrails frequently
Similar to other health and safety protocols relating to parties and large gatherings, BC CDC is emphasizing that Halloween parties should be avoided this year.
“Celebrate with your favourite Halloween movie or other traditions that you can do with your household or social group,” highlight health officials as an alternative solution.
The BC CDC says that any parties should be kept small and not exceed social bubbles.
Graham Cox
