The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, October 16, 2020. As Halloween approaches, many residents are wondering what traditional festivities will look like amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials continue to reinforce the importance of wearing face masks, physically distancing from others, and avoiding large gatherings to limit further spread of COVID-19—but what does that mean for Halloween?

“Many of our typical Halloween activities can be higher-risk for spreading COVID-19,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health at the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD). “This year we won’t be able to celebrate in some of our more traditional ways, like large Halloween parties or indoor haunted houses, but there are some safer alternatives.”

Like most activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, trick-or-treating cannot be made zero risk – but it can be made safer with proper precautions. “The recommendation this year is to stay close to home and keep your Halloween activities limited to the people you live with, or do something called one-way trick-or-treating,” explained Amanda Finckel, Sr. Public Health Sanitarian and Safety Officer for CCHD’s COVID-19 response. “With one-way trick-or-treating, a station with individually wrapped treats or goodie bags is set up for families to grab and go. This reduces contact with people outside of your household.” If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling any items that will be given out.

If anyone in your household is sick, has had contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19, or has symptoms of COVID-19, your family should not participate in Halloween activities this year. “Turn the lights off and skip trick-or-treating if anyone in your home is sick. This the most important step we can take to reduce potential exposure,” explained Mr. Kanoza.

If your family decides to participate in one-way trick-or-treating, be sure to practice good health habits while doing so. These include:

• Wearing a face mask. Children (aged 2 years and older) and adults should wear face coverings when outside their home. Be sure masks are appropriate and worn correctly – a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

• Wash or sanitize hands often. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, especially before eating.

• Stick to small groups of people from the same household and keep at least 6 feet of distance from other groups.

• Stay close to home. Trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood or town can help to stop the spread of germs from one area to another.

Additional Halloween guidance is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://bit.ly/34YzNta.

Residents are also encouraged to keep other safety considerations in mind when participating in one-way trick-or-treating. “Wear reflective clothing, walk on the right side of the road, and inspect your child’s candy before they eat it,” added Mr. Kanoza. “If our community members continue to be respectful and responsible this Halloween, we are optimistic that we can celebrate this holiday safely.”