Safe Facility Halloween Festivities During a Pandemic

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised earlier this fall against traditional trick-or-treating this Halloween due to the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC also released guidelines on the level of risk for various holiday activities. Across the country, some towns and cities have banned Halloween activities and trick-or-treating, while others have said the public can still celebrate if they follow safety guidelines.

If your business is planning to give out candy this year, here are some tips from the CDC on how to do it safely:

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters — stay six feet away from them.
• Give out treats outdoors.
• Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take. This could be the end of a driveway or near a sidewalk.
• Wash hands before handling candy.
• Wear a mask (face mask, not Halloween mask).

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) recommends giving out candy outdoors using tongs and having hand sanitizer available for trick-or-treaters, along with other safety precautions. Here are some additional tips on giving out candy.

If your business is not giving out candy this year, but you would like to celebrate Halloween as a company, consider hosting a virtual costume contest.