As many of us wonder how to navigate Halloween 2020, state and local officials have offered suggestions for staying safe.
“We have put together the best guidance we can for Halloween to be safe. But we can’t do things exactly like we did them before, and we all ought to know that,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Having a big party right now during COVID puts everybody at risk. Let’s not ruin Halloween for our kids by it spreading a virus that can harm people they love.”
Recommendations for trick-or-treating the safe way include:
- Placing individually wrapped candy outside on the porch, driveway or table.
- Maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet from anyone not within your household.
- Always wearing a face covering. Halloween masks DO NOT count as a face covering.
- Cleaning hands before and after touching the wrapped candy.
- Trick-or-treating in family groups and don’t congregate in large groups.
- Trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood and do not travel to other neighborhoods.
- Using hand sanitizer often, especially after contacting frequently-touched surfaces and before eating anything.
Suggested lower-risk activities
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Scare-A-Van event to replace downtown trick-or-treating
Hopkinsville’s downtown trick-or-treat event will be replaced by the first-ever “Halloween Scare-A-Van,” a drive-thru event set for 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Trail of Tears Park. The event will offer attendees the chance to receive free factory-wrapped candy from the comfort and safety of their vehicles.
Local health officials have endorsed the event.
“The Christian County Health Department wants our community to enjoy Halloween in a safe fashion during this time battling COVID-19, and the Parks and Recreation Department’s trick-or-treat event aligns with state health department guidance,” said County Health Director Kayla Bebout. “We appreciate the creative steps and the safety measure that are in place to make sure this event follows the recommendations and still allows for the kids to have fun.”
This year’s “Halloween Scare-A-Van” opportunity is open to all clubs, organizations and businesses in Christian County. Other than providing the candy, there is no fee for groups to obtain a 10’x10′ space along the path.
Each participating group will be provided a 6-foot piece of PVC that must be used to distribute candy by sliding it through the tube, into the basket, bag or bucket of each attendee. This is a drive-thru event only. No foot traffic or out-of-vehicle participation is allowed.
Downtown merchants are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $100 toward the purchase of candy. Organizations interested in participating should contact Pam Rudd at prudd@hopkinsvilleky.us.
Health officials issue recommendations
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack has encouraged Kentuckians to “keep Halloween for the kids,” and urged them to steer clear of events geared toward adults that could increase the risk of spreading the virus.
“This is not the year to have all the adult Halloween parties,” Stack said during a recent media briefing.
In addition to the Halloween-specific guidance, Kentuckians should also follow all general state COVID-19 regulations.
“When you’re out in public, wear a mask at all times And, no, a plastic batman mask does not count,” Stack said. “If the kids are close to people, they should wear their mask under their Halloween mask.”
Guidance for community members
State health officials hare encouraging Kentuckians who’d like to participate in Halloween festivities to reach out to neighbors to discuss ways to ensure social distancing, safe distribution of candy and the need for face coverings.
Community members are urged to not allow children to select their own treats from a common bowl or container.
A suggested alternative includes placing treats, spaced apart, on porch steps or a table or the driveway with a sign asking children to take only one. Other creative and safe ways of getting the candy to the children include a candy slide made of PVC pipe or hanging treats from a wall or fence.
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
