Halloween is certainly going to look different this year in Bucks County, but health officials have said kids can still have fun.
The Bucks County Department of Health and the Bucks County Department of Emergency Services recently released the following tips so trick-or-treaters can stay safe:
- Trick-or-Treaters should stay outside at all times, as it is a lower risk for transmission.
- Trick-or-Treaters should wear reflective clothing and use a flashlight to remain easily visible to traffic and other groups.
- Trick-or-treat in small groups, making it easier to social distance as much as possible
- Face coverings should be worn if not able to remain 6 feet apart. Most Halloween masks will not suffice as a protective face covering.
- Avoid being within 6 feet from those who live outside your household for more than 15 consecutive minutes.
- Anyone handing out candy should wear a face-covering and remain outside through the event if possible.
- Both trick-or-treaters and those giving out candy should sanitize their hands regularly.
- Avoid costume parties and other large indoor social gatherings, especially with alcohol present.
Advertisements
“If you do trick-or-treating the traditional way, maintaining social distancing between families is a must. All children living in the same house should stay together. Use hand sanitizer between house visits, and make sure you and your kids are wearing appropriate facial coverings. Don’t rely on a Halloween mask to provide adequate protection; instead, incorporate the child’s existing cloth mask into the costume itself,” according to guidelines put together by experts Pamela M. Aaltonen and Meg Sorg from Purdue University.
“Arriving home, put the treat bag in quarantine for three to four days to allow time for any virus particles to die. Make sure everyone washes their hands. Have a pre-made “treat bag” available so the kids can enjoy something that night while waiting for their booty to be virus-free,” they added.
For those spending time outside on Saturday, the National Weather Service is calling for temperatures to go from 48 degrees during the day to about 37 degrees by evening with a light wind.
Advertisements
Earlier this week, Fox 29 featured Middletown Township’s Levittown section and Halloween preparations. The report showed the Rutecki family and their neighbors placing candies individually on sticks for trick-or-treaters and a candy shoot at a neighbor’s home to limit contact.
Another idea this year is to go on a driving tour of Halloween displays around the area. The Lower Bucks Drive-Thru Halloween House Tour on Facebook has a guide to more than 120 decorated locations across the Levittown area and beyond.
Advertisements
For a low risk Halloween celebration in the age of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suggested families carve or decorate pumpkins, hold a virtual costume contest, or watch Halloween movies. The CDC said door-to-door trick-or-treating, gatherings, and indoor haunted attractions increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is scary – and dangerous. But you can still have a Halloween that’s fun, healthy and safe if you follow the guidelines,” according to Aaltonen and Sorg.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
