With Halloween only 2 weeks away, our Halloween creativity will have to be cranked up this year. The B.C. Centre of Disease Control has released guidelines on the best way to celebrate Halloween while remaining safe and reducing the risk of exposure or transmission.

Indoor gatherings, big or small, put people at higher risk of getting COVID-19, according to the centre. Therefore, consider watching a Halloween movie or observing other traditions with your family or small social group rather than hosting a party.

Pandemic Party Rules

You should know everyone who attends, no plus ones. Don’t pass around snacks, drinks, smokes, tokes or vapes. Be more outside, than inside. Keep the space well-ventilated with windows open. Because hand sanitizer is flammable, be careful around open flames.

Trick-or-Treating Safely

Respect homes by staying away if the lights are out. Keep to your local neighbourhood this year; avoid trick-or-treating in busy areas or indoors. Trick-or-treat in a small social group of six people or fewer. Leave space between you and other groups. Wash your hands before you go out, when you get home and before eating treats. Keep hand sanitizer with you if eating treats on the go. You don’t need to clean every treat but you should wash your hands after handling treats. Do not touch your face.

Handing Out Treats

Use tongs when handing out candy. Hand out individual treats instead of offering from a shared bowl. Only hand out sealed, pre-packaged treats. Wear a non-medical mask that covers your nose and mouth when handing out treats. If you can, stand outside your door to hand out treats which also ensure kids won’t need to touch the door or doorbell. If you’re not able to remain outside, clean and disinfect doorbells and knobs, and any other high-touch surface often during the Halloween night. If you are decorating, avoid props that can cause coughing, such as smoke machines.

For more information visit bccdc.ca.