Like everything else in 2020, the usual festivities for Halloween will need to be modified to keep everyone safe and healthy. It will be important to continue following the 3 W’s – wearing a mask, waiting a safe distance from others and washing your hands. A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a well-fitting cloth face covering. Outdoor activities are strongly recommended as a safer option than indoor gatherings. This does not mean you can’t have a good time, as there are lots of fun suggestions on various internet sites that can help you create a memorable Halloween. What you plan should be determined by the current COVID-19 situation in your community.
How can I determine the severity of COVID-19 where I live?
Important data to pay attention to when you are planning activities is the current rate of new COVID-19 infections in your community. Halloween 2020 includes an interactive map from the Harvard Global Health Institute that allows you to look up current rates of new COVID-19 infections down to the county level. (Scroll down to the map and select NC from the state list. Hover over Pamlico County on the NC map to see current data.)
Risk levels for getting infected are indicated by color codes based on a 7 day rolling average of new cases generalized to a rate per 100,000 population.
- Green – less than 1 case per 100,000 people – on track for containment
- Yellow – 1-9 cases per 100,000 people – community spread
- Orange – 10-12 cases per 100,000 people – accelerated spread
- Red – 25+ cases per 100,000 people – tipping point
As of October 3, Pamlico County is in the yellow zone, with a rate of 2.2 daily new cases (7 day rolling average) per 100,000 people. The actual average daily number of new cases is currently 0.3. As new cases occur these numbers will change and our risk level zone may also change if the rate goes up or down.
How should the risk levels impact my plans?
The higher the rate of new cases, the higher the probability that someone in a group is infected with the virus and thus has the possibility of spreading the infection to others present. It is recommended that red zone communities not have activities where folks gather at organized events, whereas green zone communities can more safely plan events. If you scroll past the map at Halloween 2020, select your color zone to see suggested activities. The NCDHHS also has guidance for Halloween activities and suggestions for those who are planning events - Halloween guidance.
What other fun activities could I consider?
- Games – There are several games that can be created into Halloween themes. You will want to select games that can be easily set up to maintain safety guidelines.
- Have participants use hand sanitizer prior to playing.
- Keep participants at a safe distance from each other.
- Disinfect any equipment that will be used again.
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Eyeball Pong
Set up bowls, plastic cups, decorated cans or other containers and use ping pong balls with eyeballs. Participants can play individually or in teams of 2 and try to get their eyeballs into the containers for scoring. One version is here.
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Eyeball Pong
Set up bowls, plastic cups, decorated cans or other containers and use ping pong balls with eyeballs. Participants can play individually or in teams of 2 and try to get their eyeballs into the containers for scoring. One version is here.
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These are just a couple of examples for games. 40 Halloween games will take you to many other ideas for your Halloween plans, all of which can be done outside.
- Scavenger Hunt – This is a good activity for neighborhoods to set up. Hide candy and Halloween trinkets in various locations. Provide a list of clues, such as “the old oak tree holds a treat for thee”, to help the participants locate the items. The hunt can also contain questions to be answered, such as “how many pumpkins on Ms. Jones’ front porch?”. One example of a scavenger hunt is here. You will need to provide a bag for the participants to collect their items.
- If participants are working together, remind them to keep on their masks.
- You will want to set this up so the clues can be searched for in any order. If everyone will be starting at the same time, have different individuals or groups start at various places on the list. This will minimize the number of people in any group.
- Reverse trick or treating – Kids dress up, but stay in their yards, while the neighbors walk or drive by to deliver candy.
- Consider alternative delivery methods, such as tossing the candy from 6 feet away or building a candy chute for the candy to slide down. This is especially useful if the trick or treaters will be going door to door. Or have a table set up in your yard or driveway with the candy ready to be picked up. The table helps with social distancing between you and the kids as well as providing a contactless delivery method.
- Trick or Treat for Unicef – Trick or treating for donations that go to children worldwide is a longstanding tradition for many groups. This year Unicef has gone virtual. You can sign up as an individual, family or a classroom - Unicef.
What activities are NOT RECOMMENDED this year?
- Traditional door to door trick or treating especially with children taking candy from a shared container
- Large trunk or treat events with cars parked closely together. If planning a trunk or treat event try to limit the number of attendees and allow for plenty of space between the vehicles.
- Crowded Halloween parties especially indoors
Safety reminders
- Plan your activities based on current levels of COVID-19 spread in your community
- Keep activities outside if people who do not live in your household are included
- Wear a mask
- Wash or sanitize your hands often
- Keep at least 6 feet of distance between participants
- HAVE FUN!