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Here's what COVID-19 trick-or-treating looks like according to Algoma Public Health

Looks like Halloween doesn't have to be cancelled after all, but top docs recommend 'avoiding' indoor parties, haunted houses
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Algoma Public Health and Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health have some advice for little ghouls and goblins who are planning on going door to door in pursuit of candy.

Regions in Stage 3, such as the Sault, are encouraged to follow these steps:

  • Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household
  • Stay home if you are feeling ill, even if you have mild symptoms, or if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19
  • Only go out with members of your household
  • Only trick or treat outside
  • Both trick or treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering. A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe.
  • Choose costumes that allow a non-medical mask to be worn underneath. Make sure you can see and breathe comfortably.
  • Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps and remember to line up two metres apart if waiting. Avoid high-touch surfaces and objects
  • Whether collecting or handing out treats, wash your hands often and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer
  • Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab and consider using tongs or oth er similar tools to hand out treats
  • Do not travel outside your neighbourhood to celebrate Halloween
  • When handing out candy, be more outside than inside. If you can, stand outside your door to hand out treats.

“High-risk activities like indoor haunted houses or Halloween parties should be avoided this year,” says Dr. Marlene Spruyt, Medical Officer of Health. “By law, indoor private gatherings must be limited to 10 people or less - the fewer the people, the lower the risk.”

The province has created these posters, which you can hang in your window to let candy seekers know whether or not you are handing out treats. 

Not comfortable trick-or-treating, or not feeling well and want to play it safe? Alternative ways to celebrate the most spooktacular night of the year include:

  • Encouraging kids to dress up and participate in virtual activities and parties;
  • Organizing a Halloween candy hunt with people living in their own household;
  • Carving pumpkins;
  • Having a movie night or sharing scary stories; and
  • Decorating front lawns.