Trumbull, Warren health departments issue guidance for Halloween

WARREN — With daily COVID-19 case counts continuing to increase, the Trumbull County Combined Health District and the Warren City Health District are issuing guidance for Halloween.

The health departments are recommending all door-to-door trick-or-treat events take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 to minimize the spread of COVID-19 from one community to the next.

Here's a look at other guidance offered by the health departments.

Recommended best practices:

• It is strongly recommended that Trumbull County residents exercise caution when deciding to participate in trick-or-treat and events that put them in close contact with people outside their households. To lower risk, consider safer, socially distant ways to celebrate, such as:
  • Having a drive-through or drive-in trick-or-treat event, with children in costume and face coverings, staying in cars and collecting treats from individuals spaced at least 6 feet apart;
  • Having drive-by costume or car-decorating contests with judges who are physically distanced;
  • Leaving treats in the mailboxes of friends and neighbors;
  • Decorating your home and hiding treats as an alternative to trick-or-treating;
  • Having costume parties or pumpkin-carving events or contests online using platforms such as Zoom or Skype.
• Nonvaccinated individuals should not have large in-person Halloween parties. If having smaller parties, limit attendance to 10 or fewer people and have the event in an outdoor area where social distancing is possible. Avoid activities, such as bobbing for apples, that foster the spread of infection.
• Wear a face covering and stay 6 feet away from people who are not from your household, whether trick-or-treating, passing out treats or attending attractions or events. Stay home if you are sick. Face coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 or anyone who cannot easily remove them.
• Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
• Select events/attractions that are held outdoors and allow attendees to stay in their cars (such as drive-through events with displays) or socially distance. Avoid events that involve being crowded in a small area or coming into contact with or being touched by others.
• Consider the people in your household who may be at greater risk of complications if COVID-19 is brought into the home, such as those with certain health conditions, women who are pregnant or older family members.

Recommendations for parents/guardians:

• If taking your children trick-or-treating, limit the number of houses you visit and ask your children to stay as far from treat-givers as possible. For small children, consider holding the bag for them.
• Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home. Never wipe unpackaged food with wipes.
• Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats made by strangers.
• If your child is at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, contact your doctor before allowing participation in Halloween activities.

Recommendations for community members:

• Refrain from having children select their own treats from a bowl or common container, or set up a hand-sanitizing station. Consider placing treats on porch steps or a table in the driveway with a sign asking children to take only one. Or use other creative ways to distribute treats, such as using a candy "slide" made of PVC pipe, or hanging treats from a wall or fence.

Recommendations for event/attraction operators:

• Have hand sanitizer readily available to all participants.
• Consider eliminating common seating areas or play areas where children and others might congregate. If seating is provided, keep it outdoors, separate benches and tables by at least 6 feet or use dividers, and sanitize between each use.

This story was originally published October 6, 2021 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Trumbull, Warren health departments issue guidance for Halloween."