CDC Discourages Trick Or Treating, Indoor Costume Parties Due To COVID-19 Pandemic
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - With Halloween happening in about a month, many parents are wondering if it will be safe to let the kids go trick or treating due to the pandemic.
In Miami-Dade and Broward, where the coronavirus positivity rate has been slowly trending down, county and city officials have not made any official announcements as to whether trick or treating this year is a 'yea' or 'nay'.
However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its first guidance for the holidays, including Halloween.
Door-to-door trick-or-treating and costume masks and parties are discouraged this year due to the pandemic, the CDC said.
"Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses," the agency said in its posting. "There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween."
The new guidance lists "low-risk, moderate and higher risk activities" for celebrating All Hallow's Eve.
Low-risk Halloween activities
Low-risk activities include carving pumpkins and decorating your home, outdoor scavenger hunts, virtual costume contests, and hosting a movie night with household members.
The CDC suggests, "Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance," as a fun event for children.
"Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with," is another low risk idea.
Moderate risk events
Moderate risk things to do include so-called "one-way trick-or-treating" by exchanging goody bags placed at the end of a driveway or the edge of a yard, having a small group outside for an "open-air costume parade" where participants are at least 6-feet apart, or attending an outdoor costume party where masks are worn and people social distance.
A note here about Halloween masks. "A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask," the CDC said. "A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn't leave gaps."
The agency is discouraging the use of costume masks this year, saying they are not a substitute for cloth masks. It is also warning against wearing a costume mask over a protective cloth, pointing out it's dangerous because it might make it hard to breathe.
Other moderate risk activities include "an open-air, one-way, walk through (a) haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can social distance.
"If screaming will occur, greater distancing is advised," the agency urged.
Pumpkin patches or orchard visits and outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends are OK in this category.
Related: Fear Factor Returns With These Halloween Haunts Happening Around Town
Higher risk activities should be avoided
The CDC is warning higher risk activities should be avoided. These include door-to-door trick-or-treating, attending crowded, indoor costume parties, visiting indoor haunted houses or going on hayrides or tractors rides with strangers.
"Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots," should be avoided, too.
In fact, the health agency recommends tailoring all Halloween activity based on whether coronavirus infections are spiking in a given area.
Related: New Website Maps Out How To Trick Or Treat Safely In Miami-Dade, Broward