Jessica Fisher

Celebrating Halloween during a Pandemic

Jessica Fisher, Public Information Assistant, 509.625.6749


Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 3:06 p.m.

Celebrating Halloween during a Pandemic

The spookiest day of the year is just around the corner! As you celebrate Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic, here are some tips on how to celebrate safely.

Many traditional Halloween activities like trick-or-treating can be high-rick for spreading coronavirus. If you have COVID-19, may have COVID-19, or you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween activities including giving out candy to trick-or-treaters.

If you decide to go trick-or-treating, bring some hand sanitizer and wear a mask. Remember, a plastic mask that comes with a costume is not protective; wear a cloth face covering. Stay with your household unit and avoid creating large groups of trick-or-treaters. Don’t let your kids congregate around someone’s door or a bowl of candy; have them wait for their turn six feet away. You do not need to sanitize every candy wrapper but you should wash your hands or use sanitizer before eating any sweets.

Greeting large groups of trick-or-treaters at your door is not recommended. Consider placing individually wrapped treat bags on your driveway or porch to avoid large groups at your front door. Place mini pumpkins or other decorations six feet apart to signal a line and keep trick-or-treaters distanced while they wait for treats. If you end up preparing treat bags, wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing the bags.

Here are some fun ideas if you are looking for trick-or-treating alternatives.

Trick or Treating Alternatives

  • Carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household.
  • Carve or decorate pumpkins outside with your friends. Make sure to keep a safe distance.
  • Have a virtual Halloween costume or pumpkin decorating contest.
  • Have a Halloween movie night at home.
  • Have a Halloween scavenger hunt with your household members in and around your home.
  • Visit the Fear in the Headlights drive-thru haunted attraction.

For additional Halloween safety tips visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Washington State Department of Health websites.

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