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Halloween 2020 Safety Tips and Guidelines

Posted on: October 13, 2020 - 3:08pm
Hanover Halloween

It's almost that time of year to trick-or-treat! Halloween is lurking around the corner. Hanover residents and community members should follow safe and healthy guidelines, especially while participating in Halloween activities, to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. 

As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards.

Celebrations and Trick-or-Treating

Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Health, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

  • Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
  • Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl
  • Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
  • Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
  • Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
    • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.
  • Observe good hand hygiene, including handwashing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
  • Refrain from touching your face.
  • Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
  • Halloween Safety TipsHold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
  • Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

What to Avoid

  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits;
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
  • Indoor haunted houses; and
  • Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
  • Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if:
    • you feel unwell;
    • you have tested positive for COVID-19;
    • you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; or
    • you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower-risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.

General Reminders

Halloween General Reminders
*Gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. For indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people where participants other than those in the same household will be in attendance, all persons over the age of 5 must wear a face covering unless they have a medical condition. For more details, see Governor's COVID-19 Order No. 52.

Additional Resources

Questions

Please call the Hanover Health Department at 781-826-5000, ext. 1077 or send an email message to health@hanover-ma.gov, with any questions or concerns.