While New York State has not weighed in on whether parents should allow trick-or-treating this month – the City of Canandaigua is discouraging it.
Officials say they won’t ban the activity, but point out that they hope parents adhere to CDC guidance, which classifies trick-or-treating as ‘high risk’.
“The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has defined traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door as a high risk activity that should be avoided in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the City said in a post to Facebook. “The City of Canandaigua does not regulate this annual Halloween tradition, but in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, asks residents to abide by the CDC guidance.”
The City instead linked to the following low-risk activities outlined by the CDC:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
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