Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Allowed In New Jersey But Don't Be A 'Knucklehead,' Gov. Murphy Says
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- Halloween is officially on in New Jersey despite the pandemic. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday trick-or-treating can happen but there are guidelines.
Trick-or-treating will look different in the Garden State but die-hard Halloween enthusiasts say the tradition must go on.
Ghouls and goblins will visit homes in New Jersey this Halloween but this time, Gov. Murphy is asking that these ghostly visits are accompanied by masks.
"The Department [of Health] is encouraging everyone to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth," Murphy said.
Eyewitness News caught up with some South Jersey residents who were getting a head start on their costumes this year.
"We're basically going to do Halloween the same way we do it every year. Obviously, we're going to have a couple more precautions in place," Cherry Hill resident Joh Main said.
On Monday afternoon, Murphy announced trick-or-treating guidelines that he's encouraging residents to take heed. Everyone should wear a mask, regardless of your costume.
Residents distributing candy should have treats individually packaged so trick-or-treaters can grab and go with no shared bowl.
"We'll probably be one of the houses this year that's not, we won't be home. We'll probably be with our son trick-or-treating," Cherry Hill resident Corinne Main said.
Families are also being asked to limit the number of homes on their trick-or-treating route.
Handing out candy is not recommended and if you are distributing candy, you should wash your hands repeatedly.
"We want to give these kids a good Halloween just like anyone else would have had any other year," Corinne Main said.
Social distancing is required for groups who are not all from the same household. The governor is also asking trick-or-treaters to stay local.
