The Town of Bracebridge recommends people check with the local health unit for Halloween advice.
Currently, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit recommends that this year trick or treating is optional on Halloween.
In a release, the Town points out that families who want to be most cautious can choose no trick or treating, or handing out candy, and instead can celebrate with special activities in their own households.
These could include a virtual costume contest, candy scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, watching a scary movie or decorating your home.
If you choose to participate in trick or treating and handing out candy:
• Stay home if feeling ill or if you have mild symptoms;
• Avoid gatherings with other people; 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 and 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.
“While we all want to celebrate with the ghouls and goblins this year, it is important to remember that we are in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19,” says Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith. “Cases continue to increase in many areas, as does the percentage of people tested who get a positive result. We have the ability to change the outcome, and it is imperative that we protect the health of our families, friends and neighbours during this time.”
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams says it’s critical families not travel outside of their neighbourhood to celebrate Halloween.