Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 25, 2021 – Is Halloween Trick-or-Treating Still Happening in Burlington?

Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we’ll publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 25, 2021QUESTION:“Is Halloween and trick-or-treating still happening this year during the ongoing pandemic?”ANSWER:Earlier this month, the Province released some COVID-19 guidance for Thanksgiving gatherings, Halloween and trick-or-treating, and recognizing Remembrance Day. Its Celebrate Safely During COVID-19 — Online Guide includes guidance for hosting indoor and outdoor events. Head further down this post for more on the provincial guidelines.Please note, the residents of Seneca Avenue and the City of Burlington have recently posted to social media updating our community regarding trick-or-treating on Halloween.The street will be closed again to large gatherings due to COVID-19. In the past, Seneca Avenue would draw close to 5,000 people to the street. Even though we are moving in a positive direction with the pandemic and the Province is loosening restrictions, gatherings of this number are still too high and would prove too difficult to maintain the health and safety of everyone present.The City thanks the residents of Seneca Avenue for their many years of generosity in hosting residents across Burlington. We know many will be disappointed with this decision, but the City of Burlington is asking residents to please enjoy Halloween and trick-or-treat in their own neighbourhoods this year, and not venture out.PROVINCE'S GUIDELINES TO CELEBRATING HALLOWEENIf you are trick-or-treating door-to-door outside:

• stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild;
• trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible;
• be creative and build the face covering into your costume. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering.
  • A costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe;
• do not crowd doorsteps – take turns one at a time;
• do not sing or shout for your treats;
• keep interactions brief with those giving out treats;
• use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats; and
• there is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats.

If trick-or-treating indoors:

• maintain physical distancing as much as possible and wear a face covering, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.

If you choose to give out treats:

• do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild;
• keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you;
• consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained;
• consider including the face covering as part of your costume if you are dressing up;
• give out only purchased and packaged treats;
• do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats; and
• clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer.

If you choose to host an in-person Halloween party:

• do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
• have the fewest number of people possible at your gathering;
• use outdoor spaces whenever possible;
• provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water;
• open windows, if possible;
• clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces;
• ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild;
• make a list of guests attending in case your local public health unit needs it for contact tracing;
• remind people of public health advice to follow during the event;
• wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food; and
• have everyone wash their hands before and after eating.

If you choose to attend an in-person Halloween party:

• you should not attend if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild;
• wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the event; and
• consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19.

RELATED LINKS:

• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 18, 2021 – Where Can I Direct Complaints About a Council Decision or Council/City Conduct
• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 4, 2021 – What’s Being Done to Stop Noise from Loud Vehicles?
• Mayor’s Mailbag – September 2021 Roundup – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Where Should I Direct my City-Related Questions, & Changes to Noise Regulation of Transportation of Goods
• Mayor’s Mailbag – August 2021 Roundup – Mixed vaccines & travel, Memorializing a loved one, & Construction hours of operation
• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag — July 2021 Roundup — Fireworks regulations, Millcroft Greens development, lifting of mask mandate & high-rises at Holland Park site
• Mayor’s Monday Mailbag — June 2021 Roundup — Development applications, vaccine supply & gunk on the beach

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist