As Halloween approaches, the City of Bellevue, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department would like to join other Sarpy County Jurisdictions in offering these suggestions for a safe and healthy Halloween season during the COVID-19 Pandemic
IF YOU ARE SICK: stay home and don’t prepare or distribute treats or participate in Halloween activities. Older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions or who are at a higher risk for COVID-19, should consider not participating in activities.
BASIC COVID-19 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth UNDER your costume mask.
• Wash your hands.
• Maintain at least six-foot distancing from others.
TRICK-OR-TREATING
• Keep groups to eight or less and maintain social distancing.
• Use hand sanitizer while out and wash hands when you return home.
• Don’t eat candy while trick-or-treating.
HANDING OUT TREATS
• Wash hands before touching treats.
•If possible, put treats in prepackaged bags.
• Don’t allow children to reach into the treat bowl.
• Be creative with physical distancing. Stay on the porch and line-up treat bags or use plastic or cardboard pipe to make a six-foot-long chute.
• Use tape or chalk to mark six-foot lines on sidewalks in front of homes and leading to doorsteps.
TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENTS
• Masks should be required for these events.
• Consider a drive through-style event.
• Consider a timed & ticketed event that promotes correct distancing.
• Don’t eat candy during the event.
• Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you return home.
NEIGHBORHOOD CELEBRATIONS & PARTIES
• Toss candy from six feet away to children who remain on the sidewalks.
• Set up curbside/drive through treat pickup sites.
• Try a reverse trick-or-treat that lets children stand in front of their houses as treat bags are distributed to them.
• Keep gatherings outdoors and limit participation to eight guests or less.
PUMPKIN PATCHES
• Wear a mask
• Sanitize hands before and after touching pumpkins
• Skip the hayrack rides especially with strangers
• Avoid screamers or keep your distance even more
• If it becomes too crowded, visit at a different time
HAUNTED HOUSES
• This is extra risky with screaming and being indoors. Wear a mask at all times.
• Keep six-foot distance, even while waiting in line.