Celebrating Halloween safely amid coronavirus pandemic

Halloween is just around the corner, but like so many other special occasions and events, the 2020 edition of the spookiest day of the year will have to look a little different due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many traditional Halloween activities pose a high risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19 because they typically bring together large groups of people that do not live in the same household.

"While Halloween activities must change, we still want people to be able to dress up and have fun for the holiday," Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, county public health officer, said. "Maybe plan a virtual or drive-by costume party that lets you celebrate while keeping up the fight against the spread of the virus."

Door-to-door trick-or-treating is one of the most popular Halloween activities, but it, along with trunk-or-treating, or leaving bowls of candy for others to grab, is not advisable as it is too hard to maintain proper social distancing. Instead, consider "one-way trick-or-treating," where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up outdoors, allowing families to grab them while practicing social distancing.

Gatherings of any size are not permissible under current public health orders, so you should avoid in-person costume parties. Instead, get your friends and family together for a virtual costume party and vote for the best costumes from the comfort of your own couch.

Haunted houses are also not recommended because they often put crowds into tight, poorly ventilated areas. Instead, the county Health & Human Services Agency recommended dressing up your own home or yard with Halloween-themed decorations and taking a stroll or drive around your neighborhood to enjoy the spooky decor.

Other safe ways to celebrate Halloween and the fall season include attending a drive-thru Halloween event or car parade; watching a spooky movie with your household members, either at home or at a drive-in theater; carving pumpkins with members of your own household and making fall recipes and crafts as a family.

As you celebrate, follow the established safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands and staying home when you feel ill.