Although COVID-19 safety burnout is creeping in as the pandemic trudges forward, it’s still worth consideration this Halloween season.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts issued a media release affirming as much, in which they say simple actions can help limit the spread of COVID-19.
“As Halloween approaches, get creative and consider the ways you can make your celebrations safer,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, in the release.
“Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series by getting two doses and a third dose if you’re eligible. Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is an important step in protecting not only yourself, but the little ghosts and goblins who cannot yet get vaccinated as well.”
Mask use, maintaining physical distance from others and keeping gatherings small are still recommended alongside holding celebrations outdoors or virtually, especially if people are unvaccinated or if their status is unknown.
“We encourage everyone to find ways to limit the spread of the virus and still have a happy and fun Halloween,” Sutcliffe said.
The following is the advice shared by Public Health Sudbury & Districts:
Trick-or-treating
Although it’s safest to remain home, if you choose to go door-to-door or hand out treats at home, take the following steps:
- Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are sick.
- Stay home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re mild.
- Trick-or-treat and hand out treats outside.
- Wear a well-fitting non-medical mask when going door-to-door or handing out candy. Find creative ways to build the well-fitting mask into your costume. Remember, a costume mask is not a substitute for a well-fitting mask.
- Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Stand two metres apart if you must wait.
- Stay near your door when handing out candy so ghosts and goblins can avoid high-touch surfaces and objects like door handles and doorbells. Keep interactions brief.
- Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for everyone to grab. Consider using tongs, long spoons or other similar tools to hand out treats, or set up a table with pre-bagged treats to keep distance from trick-or-treaters.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Respect people by staying away from homes if the lights are out.
Hosting and attending events
- Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series by getting two doses and a third dose if you are eligible.
- Limit the size of your gathering. The fewer people who gather, the lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Consider the vaccination status of guests that will attend.
- Connect virtually with friends and family. Virtual events are safer if people in the group are unvaccinated or if their vaccination status is unknown.
- Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. When outdoor gatherings are not possible, ensure proper ventilation indoors. If you do not have a ventilation system, open windows to increase air flow.
- Keep two metres’ distance from others and wear a mask if distancing is not possible
- Do not attend or host a gathering if you have any symptoms or if you are self-isolating.
- Wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food. When eating, wash your hands before and after.
- Complete a contact log of all guests attending an in-person gathering.
- Avoid crowded places where physical distancing may be a challenge.
