(ORLEANS) – Trick or treating in the Town of Orleans will be allowed on Saturday, October 31st and left up to residents this year as to whether to participate or not.
Town Clerk Robert F. Henderson said the town officials have opted not to endorse “trick-or-treating” due to the ongoing issues with COVID-19, but has no problem allowing those who look forward to the holiday to participate, provided they do so safely.
The choice to hand out candy will be up to each individual citizen themselves.
Residents who wish to welcome youngsters are asked to leave their porch lights on to indicate they are handing out candy.
As in years past the suggested hours for Orleans trick or treating activities on the 31st will kick off at 6 p.m. and should be concluded by 9 p.m.
“Those who participate should take all safety precautions to protect themselves and the community,”
Parents of costumed trick-or-treaters in search of free candy can consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for guidelines on Halloween activities and recommendations to participate safely.
Know the risk
The CDC lists Halloween activities in three categories: low, moderate and high risk.
The CDC lists carving pumpkins with family members and decorating your house or yard as low risk activities. Also, low risk is having a Halloween movie night with those you live with and a scavenger-hunt style trick-or-treat search at home.
Instead of handing out candy, the CDC recommends placing individually wrapped goodie bags at the end of a driveway or edge of a yard for trick-or-treaters to grab and go.
Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and trunk or treat events are considered high risk by the CDC. Also, on the high-risk list are crowded costume parties held indoors and an indoor haunted house where people are in close contact and screaming. As Halloween approaches, those who may have COVID-19 or been exposed to someone should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
For more on CDC trick-or-treat guidelines, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
