Canada’s top public doctor has approved “trick or treating” on Halloween, as long as the little ghosts and goblins respect the new realities of the pandemic.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said on Tuesday, “I think finding that balance of trying to provide some degree of normality, even though it is actually different from any other year, most public health leaders think that that is actually important.”
Tam is advising parents to talk to their kids about maintaining physical distancing while trick-or-treating outside.
She also said to stick to pre-packaged treats, have hand sanitizer readily available and use “different fabrics” to turn a day-to-day face mask into part of a costume.
Meanwhile, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has also released its own set of Trick Or Treating Tips, saying the annual event can be held safely, as long as certain rules are followed.
How to have a safe and happy Hallowe’en:
- Stay home if feeling ill or if you have mild symptoms.
- Only go out with members of your direct household.
- Only trick or treat outside.
- Both trick or treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering.
- A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe.
- Consider building your face covering into your, or your child’s, costume.
- Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Line up two metres (6 feet) apart if waiting.
- Avoid high-touch surfaces and objects.
- Whether collecting or handing out treats, wash your hands often and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer.
- Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab.
- Consider using tongs, or other similar tools to hand out treats.
For more details, please click here.
Trick-or-treating and handing out candy this Hallowe’en can be done safely. Follow these tips to keep your ghosts, witches and goblins safe and those in our community safe. https://t.co/QGGi0NniYY pic.twitter.com/1gfP0KOklG
— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) October 13, 2020
I'll have more to say about this in my COVID update tomorrow, but: yes, Halloween is happening in @cityofbarrie, and here's how to do it safely. https://t.co/MxwSy829vI
— Jeff Lehman (@jedi_lehman) October 14, 2020
1/5 #COVID19 key concerns in 🇨🇦: Though there were reporting limitations over the long weekend, based on available information, national daily case counts and hospitalisations continue to increase. https://t.co/wLqjdfJmRi
— Canada's CPHO (@CPHO_Canada) October 13, 2020