As fall approaches, everyone is wondering how the pandemic will affect fall celebrations and trick or treat. The Lenawee County Health Department is sharing the following information to encourage residents to think about ways to safely participate in fall traditions, including Halloween. 

Gathering Limitations

Per current Executive Order 176, gatherings are limited as follows:

• No more than 10 individuals in attendance for indoor events
• No more than 100 individuals for outdoor events (outdoor events in the City of Adrian, Adrian Township, Madison Township and at all college/university owned/controlled properties are limited to 25 per local Emergency Order 2020-15)
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet from non-household members and wearing face coverings while indoors public spaces, as well as outdoors when unable to consistently maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household members is required
• Events bringing together individuals from multiple households serving food and beverages that would encourage removal of masks to eat and drink are discouraged
• Haunted houses and other indoor events are discouraged
• Hayrides could be done if seating is limited to allow for all participants to maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household members and masks are worn. Visual markings to indicate spacing requirements for those waiting, or designated ride times will be needed to maintain distance from others. Recommend hand sanitizing before getting in the wagon.

Trick or Treat

Door to door trick or treating recommendations include the following:

• If you are sick or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, please stay home and do not pass out candy
• If you are COVID-19 positive or have been told to quarantine because you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive, please stay home and do not pass out candy
• Recommend one-way traffic flow, especially in busy neighborhoods
• Walk with individuals from your household
• Maintain 6 feet of distance from those who are not from your household
• Wear face coverings over your mouth and nose, including those passing out candy
• Consider passing out candy from the end of the driveway or yard, rather than having children come to the door to prevent crowding
• Do not allow children to pick up their own candy from common bowl, but rather place it in their bag or make goody bags that can be picked up from a table
• Only hand out prepackaged treats, nothing made at home

Trunk or Treat

• Trunk or treating where children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats may be more challenging to implement since it will be difficult to keep children and adults properly socially distanced due to the long lines that tend to form
• Instead, consider a drive thru event where individuals can receive treats (commercially packaged) from individuals while the participants remain in their vehicle

Other Halloween Activities to Consider

• Drive-thru haunted attractions
• Online contests for pumpkin carving and costumes
• Car parades including:

1. Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive by “judges” that are appropriately physically distanced.
2. Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays.

• Halloween drive in movie nights where participants remain in their cars
• Halloween themed art exhibitions
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.

Prevention Measures:

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween, it is important to keep the following in mind:

1. Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19
2. Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others that are not part of your household
3. Avoid close contact – Stay at least 6 feet away (3 or more adult steps) from all other people who are not part of your household, especially while talking, eating and drinking
4. Avoid confined spaces and spaces that don’t allow for easy distancing of at least 6 feet between you and others
5. Wash or sanitize your hands often
6. Clean frequently touched items regularly