| As we prepare for Halloween this weekend in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re sharing the recommendations and guidelines provided by the CDC and Fairfax County officials. Whether you traditionally hand out goodies from your home or your children trick or treat in the neighborhood, this year will be different as we all should exercise caution to keep our community safe. While health officials have not banned trick or treating this year, there are some good suggestions on ways to enjoy this fun holiday by practicing some common sense. To determine the best action for you and your family, please read below:
Lowest Risk:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people in your household
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
Moderate Risk:
- Participating in trick-or-treating with distancing strategies in place
- Individually wrapped goodie bags lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
- If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags
- Stopping only at houses where individuals are wearing masks, and it is easy to maintain six feet of distance between the host and other trick-or-treaters
- Attending a small, outside event such as trunk-or-treat, where social distancing can be maintained, and everyone is wearing a mask
- Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards, where wearing masks is encouraged and enforced and people can maintain at least six feet of physical distance
Highest Risk:
- Trick-or-treating to many houses or visiting multiple neighborhoods, where participants go door to door
- Trick-or-treating at houses where individuals are not wearing a mask, and where six feet of physical distance is not maintained between individuals
- Attending parties or events that may become crowded and social distancing is difficult to maintain
- Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
- Going to indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming
Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
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