Halloween has felt like seven months rather than just one day with the coronavirus pandemic this year. That being said, we can still get into the spirit of the holiday from the comfort of our homes and with safety measures. Luckily, there are ways to get our candy corn fix and eat it too! Now that the big day is upon us, extra precautions need to be taken to keep us safe.
At Get Us PPE, we want to make sure that your Halloween remains sweet, so we compiled some ways to celebrate safely, no tricks involved.
Distanced Pumpkin Carving and Movie Night
Break out the pumpkins and Hocus Pocus and have yourselves a carving party with your family, and perhaps a select few friends. Having a distanced carving competition (perhaps in face masks + costume?) is a great low-risk way to bring the cheer (and not COVID). Having decorations around the house will also make it more on-theme. Just have sanitizer and popcorn at the ready!
Themed Scavenger Hunt
Rather than going door to door, a good old-fashioned home scavenger hunt is another option. Here’s one printable to use for the scavenging. It’s a great way to keep the kids preoccupied and get their coveted candy. Each person gets a scavenger hunt list for Halloween themed items or small goodie bags around the house. It’s a great way to mimic trick-or-treating without the risks of face-to-face contact.
Attending a Local Haunted House or Orchard
If you live near a pumpkin patch or orchard, they are likely to already have themed events. Given the larger spaces, it is a safer option for participating in outdoor activities while still being mindful. For example, if there’s a haunted maze where lots of screaming may happen, it is important to stay distanced over six feet to prevent exposure. This option is a little riskier so carry hand sanitizer when touching the pumpkins, wash your hands, and wear protective masks.
Outdoor Costume Party
Image credit: CDC
Done safely, a small outdoor costume gathering is another consideration. Costume parties should be held in open spaces with a limited number of people. Participants should be monitored, be more than six feet apart, and wear protective masks (not just a Halloween costume). A word of caution — costume masks cannot be layered over or substituted for a protective mask; it should not be used unless it has two or more layers of breathable fabric with no facial gaps. Attendance should be limited and behaviors (mask-wearing, hand washing, etc.) should be monitored.
It’s a strange Halloween season this year, but there’s still cause to celebrate as long as we all do it safely. If you participated in higher-risk activities or think you may have been exposed, as always, monitor for symptoms, quarantine, and consider getting tested. If doing outdoor activities, please be vigilant with best practices for interacting with other Halloween goers. With proper precautions taken, Halloween can still be a hoot and a cackle with none of the COVID spooks.
Check out the full list of recommendations on the CDC website for more information.
