SOUTH RIVER – The Borough of South River announced that children will be allowed to trick-or-treat this Halloween on Oct. 31, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, the borough will not be holding its annual Trunk or Treat event, according to a prepared statement from the borough.
In order to help residents safely enjoy trick-or-treating and other Halloween season activities, while COVID-19 is still a risk, the New Jersey Department of Health offers the following tips and information, according to the statement:
Traditional Halloween celebrations often involve crowds, close contact between individuals, and activities in closed spaces. It is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives for celebrating the fall season. Outdoor activities, as opposed to indoor parties and events, are recommended, according to the statement.
Those planning celebrations or participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene.
Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute for cloth or disposable masks. Individuals should minimize interaction and contact with others who are not a part of their household, according to the statement.
As a reminder, no one should participate in these activities if they or a household member have a known exposure to COVID-19, are sick/symptomatic, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not yet met the criteria for discontinuing isolation, according to the statement.
This year, as New Jersey continues to respond to the ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, recommendations for adapting traditional celebrations and considerations for ways to celebrate Halloween safely are listed below. Some communities may choose to cancel Halloween activities, so check with local sources before making plans.
For outdoor door to door trick-or-treating, the following guidelines include:
- Those who plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local and limit the number of houses on their route. Social distancing should be practiced between all who are not in the same household.
For those putting out treats:
- Good option: Limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters, wear a mask when individuals come to the door, and regularly wash hands.
- Better option: Leave a treat bowl on a porch or table or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing requirements.
- Best option: Arrange individually packaged candy so that trick or treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl.
Consider coordinating with neighbors to develop a system, such as signs or on/off porch lights, for distinguishing houses participating in trick-or-treating from those that do not wish to participate.
Wear a face mask to mitigate against COVID-19 exposure. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute but can be supplemented with a cloth or disposable mask. Children under age 2 should not wear a cloth mask.
Candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable. Consider individual nonfood “treats” to avoid sharing of food.
Practice hand hygiene (wash hands or use hand sanitizer) before leaving your home, after touching objects such as wrapped candy, and when arriving home.
For Halloween parties, the guidelines should be followed:
- Avoid large indoor or outdoor parties, which would be subject to the limitations currently in effect on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
- Keep up-to-date with the most current restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings.
- Avoid participation in activities that require close contact and/or shared items such as bobbing for apples
For haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes, the following guidelines include:
- Wear a cloth or disposable mask while participating in these activities. As noted above, a costume mask does not suffice.
- Indoor haunted houses should be avoided because of the possibility of congregation and screaming in close quarters. If hosting a haunted house, ensure visitors maintain an appropriate distance by staggering start times and limiting occupancy. A better option would be to host an outdoor haunted house without live performers.
- Hayrides should limit the number of passengers per ride and keep openings to the same party. Any shared materials should be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
- Corn mazes should only permit individuals to proceed in one direction, should limit occupancy according to the applicable restrictions in effect at the time, and should avoid use of shared materials.
- Entities hosting these events are encouraged to take reservations and/or sell tickets in advance.
Examples of socially distant Halloween activities that would require minimal or no additional health and safety protocols include:
- Virtual activities such as online costume parties;
- Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area/neighborhood with Halloween displays;
- Carving pumpkins with family;
- Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations;
- Halloween themed movie nights with family.