The Needham Board of Health has provided some recommendations for celebrating Halloween this year. Using CDC guidelines, these recommendations have been carefully designed to help ensure everyone has a happy and healthy Halloween.
Those handing out candy should try to implement a one-way system, such as leaving a candy bucket at the end of the driveway or using goodie bags. Those trick-or-treating should limit their group to immediate family members and to bring hand sanitizer with them to use after each candy stop.
Costume masks are not going to protect anyone from COVID-19. Instead, those celebrating festivities should consider wearing a Halloween-cloth mask or a regular mask for protection. Those wearing Halloween costumes are advised not to double up on masks and wear COVID-19 facial covering and a Halloween costume mask, as it can make it difficult to breathe.
Some fan-favorite seasonal activities are perfect for social distancing fun. An afternoon or evening carving and displaying pumpkins present very little risk of transmitting COVID-19. A virtual costume contest is a perfect way to share costumes without having to be in person. A Halloween scavenger hunt around the neighborhood is a safe activity the whole family can enjoy.
More information about these guidelines can be found here.
