Stay Safe this Halloween by following Recommended Guidance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2020
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Stay Safe this Halloween by following Recommended Guidance
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Safety during Halloween Activities
Champaign, IL –The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have issued guidance for safer practices during Halloween this year. Because some of the traditional ways to celebrate this holiday do not allow for proper social distancing, CUPHD encourages all communities throughout Champaign County to follow the guidance to allow for safe Halloween celebrations.
Trick-or-treating events need to incorporate social distancing, masking, and proper handwashing, as well as adherence to event size limitations. For this year, it would be safest to plan special events at home, using social media and other meeting platforms to connect with family and friends. As a reminder, if you think you could have COVID-19 or 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. Individuals at increased risk for severe illness should not attend in-person Halloween gatherings.
Neighborhood trick-or-treating includes the following:
- As an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, anyone who would like to distribute treats should leave individually wrapped candy or treats on a table, on their front walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space that allows for at least 6 feet of social distance from the door. The individually wrapped candy should be spread out so each piece is not touching another. Anyone distributing candy or treats should wash their hands properly for at least 20 seconds before placing the candy on the table and when replenishing.
- All individuals participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain social distance of least 6 feet and wear proper face coverings. A costume mask, such as those worn for Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering. If face coverings are worn under costume masks, please ensure this does not create breathing problems, and if so, discard the costume mask.
- Only household members should trick-or-treat together, and they should maintain 6feet social distance from other trick-or-treaters at all times. Mixed household trick-ortreaters are discouraged.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be carried and used frequently.
- Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after handwashing. As always, a parent/guardian should check all candy to make sure it is wrapped and should discard unwrapped candy.
- And, of course, practice good dental hygiene as well.
- Outdoor areas are preferred for trick-or-treating. Enclosed indoor areas, like apartment buildings, present greater risk of transmission. Open doors and windows as appropriate to promote increased ventilation.
Additional information on alternative activities, Día de los Muertos, and what to do if you participated in higher-risk activity or think that you may have been exposed during your celebration can be found on CUPHD’s Facebook page and website at: https://www.cuphd.org/champaign-urbana-illinois-coronavirus-information.html.
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