CT Department of Public Health Releases Halloween Guidelines

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has officially released Connecticut Halloween guidelines for this year's holiday.

In the release, the CT Department of Public Health said, "The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires all of us to take steps to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe and healthy: wear our masks, wash our hands frequently, and maintain social distancing.  As a result, we will need to celebrate many fall traditions differently this year, including Halloween."

The guidelines ask that you wear a mask, wash your hands, don't give out candy if you're ill, and refrain from leaving your house for any Halloween activities if you've traveled to one of the states listed on Connecticut's travel advisory from the dates of October 16 - October 30.

We provided you with a list of low, moderate, and high risk Halloween activities that the CDC provided, like having virtual events rather than in-person events, or having a movie night with people in your house, but it is understandable that people still want to go trick-or-treating.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommendations for Halloween 2020 are as follows:

• Participate in one-way trick-or-treating, where goodie bags or a large bowl of candy are placed outside of your home for families to grab and go while social distancing.
• Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after making Halloween goodie bags
• Limit the number of homes you visit
• It is not recommended to trick-or-treat with someone outside of your household
• Remain six feet away from people outside of your household at all times
• Wear a face mask at all times

If you are choosing to hand out candy:

• Make sure you're wearing a mask when people come to the door, and wash/sanitize your hands before opening the door
• Stay six feet away from the trick-or-treater
• Place the candy in the child's bag rather than having them take it from the bowl
• Set up a hand sanitizer station outside, or parents/guardians can pack some of their own

It is also important to note that a costume mask does not substitute for a cloth or surgical mask. Please make sure that if you plan on going out for Halloween, you stay as safe as possible.