Published 18:14 IST, September 27th 2020

US: CDC lists COVID-19 halloween guidelines; prohibits trick-or-treating & crowded parties

In an official statement, the CDC banned in-person Halloween festivities such as trick-or-treating, crowded parties, or the haunted houses due to COVID-19

World News
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Amid surge in coronavirus cases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 25 released guidelines prohibiting activities for Halloween that pose risk of coronavirus transmission. In an official statement, CDC banned in-person Halloween festivities such as trick-or-treating, crowded parties, or garing indoor at haunted houses, even prohibiting citizens to “give out candy to trick-or-treaters”.

“Many tritional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreing viruses,” CDC warned. “re are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween,” official guidelines re.

While it was allowed for people to “carve or decorate pumpkins” and put m on display outside ir homes, and do Halloween scavenger hunt with children at a safer distance, CDC restricted crowded costume parties, distribution of candies in crowded parking lots, tritional trick-or-treating, going on hayrides or tractor rides, and rural fall festivals among ors. se activities have been termed extremely high-risk during pandemic that could result in cluster outbreaks.

In visory, officials also warned people against wearing Halloween masks as a replacement to coronavirus face coverings or dual-use that could prove to be unsafe in cases of respiratory distress in untested or unidentified cases. CDC recommended use of coronavirus masks only and restricting oneself from wearing Halloween masks. Furr, it issued prohibitory orders on families to host or participate in any in-person festivities that might invite large assembly of people, or involve “screaming”. CDC highlighted use of alcohol during national health emergency that could le to risky behaviour or ill health effects must be avoided. According to health officials, use of masks, sanitizers, distancing, hand-washing, disinfecting was mandatory on day of festivity.

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Haunted forests walk-through and or activities

Furrmore, as per guidelines, US officials allowed relaxation to people for haunted forest walk-through with appropriate mask use, and as long as a small number of people were more than 6 feet apart from each or. “ greater distance, lower risk of spreing a respiratory virus,” center warned. It also allowed costume party, held in limited capacity outdoors, provided people wore protective masks and socially distanced.

Visits to pumpkin patches or orchards were allowed and people would have to use hand sanitizers before picking pumpkins or apples for children. In a strict warning, officials re-iterated that those who contracted virus or came in contact with someone who was exposed should quarantine at homes and must t loiter outdoors on Halloween. “se considerations are meant to supplement—t replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday garings must comply,” CDC said.

[Halloween candy and decorations are displayed at a store in Freeport, Maine. US sales of In this year of pandemic, with trick-or-treating still an uncertainty. Credit: AP]

[Gov. Gavin Newsom, dressed as Batman, gets into Halloween spirit as he hands out Halloween treats to costumed children at Penleigh Child Development Center in Sacramento, Calif. Halloween tritions, including trick-or-treating, haunted houses and pares, have all been nixed in Los Angeles County. Credit: AP]