COLUMBIA, S.C. — Halloween isn't cancelled, but the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) says there are some safer ways to enjoy Halloween.
“This isn’t the year for traditional trick-or-treating, haunted houses and costume parties,” said Dr. Michael Kacka, DHEC Physician and Chief Medical Officer. “COVID-19 continues to have a high prevalence across our state, and many traditional Halloween activities unfortunately are high-risk activities since they include close person-to-person contact and interaction with people outside of your household.”
So, along with everything so far this year, Halloween is going to look a bit different but these tips from DHEC could help it be safer.
DHEC is recommending outdoor, no-contact events that are low-risk for disease transmission.
Drive-through events, one-directional haunted trails, outdoor pumpkin patches and creative methods for handing out candy can be safe alternatives for celebrating.
To avoid a post-holiday spike of COVID-19 cases, which can result in an increase in hospitalizations and even deaths, DHEC asks residents to take Halloween celebrations seriously this year and remember that disease prevention methods don’t just protect you, they protect others in your community who may experience severe complications if they contract the virus.
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Costume masks
- Don’t use a costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it’s made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.
- Don’t wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider making or purchasing a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
Trick-or-treating
- Trick-or-treating can occur safely if everyone properly wears protective masks and stays six feet away from others.
- Keep your mask on at all times.
- If there’s already a group of kids at one door, wait until they leave before approaching.
- Skip houses that don’t have precautions in place.
- Consider organizing trick-or-treating events within communities where those participating have agreed to follow masking and social distancing precautions.
Handing out candy
- Use prepackaged candy only.
- Offer hand sanitizer outside your door.
- The safest approach would be to offer bundled packages of candy that each trick-or-treater can collect for themselves.
- Don’t allow dozens of hands to reach into the same candy bowl.
- Use tongs to remove the candy from the bowl and drop it into each trick-or-treater’s bag.
- Wear a mask when you open the door and limit time in close contact.
- Wash your hands frequently.
Halloween parties
- Halloween parties that involve people outside your household are discouraged. If you want to have a Halloween party, keep it small and invite only immediate family members.
- Outside events would be lower risk than inside events.
- Wear your protective mask.
- Stay six feet away from others.
- When eating or drinking, replace your protective mask immediately. You’re at highest risk for COVID-19 transmission with your mask off.
- Avoid any no-mask parties. These have been shown to be extremely high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
- Have all eating and drinking outside and avoid buffet-style eating. Have one person serve food and have separate tables for each family.
Haunted houses, festivals and other attractions
- Plan ahead and refer to CDC guidance for evaluating the risk level for these types of activities.
- Keep in mind that any event expecting attendance to be greater than 250 people must go through the mass gatherings event exception process established by Executive Order of the Governor and led by the S.C. Department of Commerce.
- Be sure to wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer and stay socially distanced by six feet or more.
- Screaming and shouting can propel more virus and may increase risk of transmission to those close by and extend to those beyond six feet.
DHEC recommends that anyone who’s regularly out in the community to get tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, and anyone who chooses to take part in a social activity like Halloween celebrations should get tested afterward and also monitor for symptoms.