We all knew Halloween was going to look a lot different this year thanks to the coronavirus, and for kids in Los Angeles that means no trick-or-treating.
Health officials in the city have officially banned trick-or-treating due to the outbreak, and that includes both door-to-door and “trunk or treating” where kids get treats from cars instead of doorsteps. Also banned are gatherings or parties with no-household members, and haunted house and other live attractions.
“Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated does not allow you to minimize contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives,” county health officials said in a statement.
But just because there’s no trick-or-treating, doesn’t mean Halloween is canceled altogether. Suggestions for alternative Halloween celebrations include:
- Online get-togethers, costume contests or pumpkin carving parties.
- Drive-by costume contests with judges.
- Decorating homes or yards.
- Drive-by events with treat bags, with candy that is commercially packaged.
- Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters.
- Themed meals at outdoor restaurants adhering to health protocols.
ONE MORE THING! After some public outrage, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said yesterday that the guidelines have been “slightly revised,” and that the change distinguishes between activities originally prohibited under the health officer order from activities that are now “not recommended.” But Ferrer still said that “We are recommending that trick-or-treating not happen this year.”
Source: New York Post