Traditional Trick-or-Treating Not Recommended for Halloween; Safe Alternatives Available

Posted at 12:20 p.m.

To keep the number of new COVID-19 cases low, we must all do our part to stop the spread of the virus. This includes finding new and socially distant ways to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday.

Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and events that involve large gatherings of individuals is NOT recommended this year.

“Halloween is going to look different this year and we all need to continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones against COVID-19,” says Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “While Fairfax County cannot ‘cancel’ trick-or-treating, we do hope our residents will continue to prioritize safety just as we have all year. There are simple solutions to continue to enjoy the scares of the holiday -– remember to wear a mask that matches your costume, social distance and have small Halloween activities outside.”

“Some Halloween activities pose higher risk than others,” added Fairfax Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu. “In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. For people who are more likely to experience severe illness from COVID-19, celebrating virtually or with members of your own household may be the safest way to enjoy the holiday.”

Some higher-risk activities that are not recommended this year include:

Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots where social distancing can’t be maintained.
Attending crowded costume parties held indoors.
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Some additional alternatives that have a moderate level of risk but are safer than traditional parties or trick-or-treating include:

Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance. Consider lining bags up at the end of the driveway or edge of your yard.
Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than six feet apart.
Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than six feet apart.
Attending a small outside event, such as trunk-or-treat, where social distancing can be maintained and everyone is wearing a mask.
Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than six feet apart.
Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apple, while wearing masks and social distancing.
Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family and friends, with people spaced at least six feet apart.

Low-risk activities that can be safe alternatives include:

Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household, or outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
Decorating your house, apartment or living space.
Holding a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed items to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.
Hosting virtual Halloween costume contests or parties.
Having a Halloween movie night with people in your household.

A few additional considerations:

STAY HOME if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for test results, or have been in contact with someone with COVID in the past 14 days. Do not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and do not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and does not leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask. Learn more about selecting the right mask.
If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
If you participate in any activities where screaming will likely occur, keeping a distance greater than 6 feet is advised. Screaming increases the production of respiratory droplets and is particularly risky for spreading COVID-19. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
View safety tips from our Fire and Rescue Department.

For more information:

Visit the CDC’s Halloween guidance webpage.
Learn more about assessing COVID-19 risks.

Stay Informed

Call our Health Department Call Center at 703-267-3511 with Coronavirus questions; open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.
Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 6 p.m.
Visit a web portal for coronavirus that serves as a one-stop online resource for information.
Learn more about COVID-19 on the Health Department Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage or FAQ page.
Follow the Fairfax County Government Facebook Page and Health Department Facebook Page.
Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.