How To Trick-Or-Treat Safely In DC

Michael O'Connell
·2 min read

WASHINGTON, DC — Halloween will have a much different feel in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trick-or-treating in large groups and hosting parties are against recommendations, but some people have found creative ways to keep the spirit of the annual Oct. 31 holiday.

On Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released guidance identifying traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating as a high-risk activity. She recommended the following low-activities as ways to celebrate the holiday safely:

  • Decorate your house and yard in a Halloween theme. Have neighborhood drive-through events where families can stay in their cars and view Halloween displays similar to Christmas light displays.

  • Carve pumpkins with your household and display the pumpkins outdoors.

  • Have a “Trick-or-Treat Candy Hunt” with members of your own household.

  • Have an online costume party, costume contest, or pumpkin carving via video chat.

For families looking for safe Halloween-related activities, consider checking out one of the Trunk or Treat Safe Haven Events the Metropolitan Police Department is hosting around the District on Saturday.

Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, where treats are handed directly to children, is considered a high-risk activity this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unlike St. Patrick’s Day, when the pandemic was just a few days old, Halloween enthusiasts have had time to prepare for different kinds of celebrations this year.

Building a candy chute has been touted as a fast and fairly simple way to ensure trick-or-treaters can get the sweets without contact.

An Arlington, Virginia, woman told the Washington, D.C., ABC affiliate she bought a PVC pipe, had the kids paint it orange and black, decorated it and attached it to the porch.

Transforming a front yard into a candy graveyard and holding a Halloween egg hunt are among 14 other ideas for low-contact trick-or-treating shared by Fun365, a website that offers party, wedding and classroom ideas.

Lower-risk activities recommended by the CDC include carving pumpkins, decorating the house, having a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt and a virtual costume contest.

“If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters,” the CDC states.

Also see ...

Police To Host Trunk Or Treat Safe Haven Events Throughout DC

This article originally appeared on the Washington DC Patch