Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra issued a message on Halloween today.
In it he says that Halloween is a fun break from our everyday routine. For many people he says anytime one remembers or thinks of Halloween they most likely catch themselves smiling.
He adds however that with Covid-19 we all owe it to children to give them a safe Halloween.
He offers these tips if you choose to trick-or-treat door-to-door:
- Stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible.
- If trick-or-treating indoors maintain physical distancing as much as possible and
- wear a face covering, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.
- Be creative and build the face covering into your costume, but know that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering, and that a costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.
- Do not crowd doorsteps – Take turns one at a time.
- Do not sing or shout for your treats.
- Keep interactions brief with those giving out treats.
- Use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats.
- There is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats.
If giving out treats treats he adds:
- Do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you.
- Consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- If you are dressing up, consider including the face covering as part of your costume.
- Give out only purchased and packaged treats.
- Do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats.
- Clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer:
If you host an in-person gathering:
- Do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- You should have the fewest number of people possible at your party or gathering and use outdoor spaces whenever possible.
- Provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water.
- Open windows, if possible.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
- Ask guests to not attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Make a list of guests attending in case public health needs it for contact tracing.
- Remind people of public health guidance to follow during the event.
- If you choose to serve food or drinks at your party, you should:
- Wash your hands before and frequently during preparation and serving; and;
- Have everyone wash their hands before and after eating.
If you choose to attend an in-person gathering:
- You should not attend if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the event.
- Consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are
