COVID-19: How to Safely Celebrate Halloween

October 27, 2020

For many of us, Halloween will be different this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises skipping traditional trick-or-treating in neighborhoods and other festivities with crowds — which are high-risk for spreading the virus. Other lower-risk alternatives are recommended instead.

Below are the CDC’s recommendations to safely enjoy the holiday, along with a list of activities to avoid. The CDC also advises that if you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

CELEBRATE WITH LOWER-RISK ACTIVITIES

Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household
Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
Decorating your house, apartment or living space
Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

AVOID THESE HIGH-RISK ACTIVITIES

Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
Attending crowded indoor costume parties
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
Traveling to a fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

For more information, including a list of moderate-risk Halloween activities and ways to mitigate spreading the virus, visit the CDC website. Download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access on what to do for a variety of emergency situations.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.