Province Gives Guidance on How to Celebrate Thanksgiving & Halloween Safely
Yesterday, the Province released some COVID-19 guidance for Thanksgiving gatherings, Halloween and trick-or-treating, and recognizing Remembrance Day.The Celebrate Safely During COVID-19 -- Online Guide includes guidance for hosting indoor and outdoor events.
THANKSGIVING
- Virtual gatherings or events are still the safest ways to celebrate, especially if people in the group are unvaccinated or if their vaccination status is unknown;
- Gatherings or events outdoors are safer than indoors; and
- Indoor gatherings should be the smallest number of people possible and not exceed 25 people indoors or 100 people outside.
- More guidelines on indoor gatherings below (*see 'If you choose to host an in-person Halloween party').
CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN
If 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
RECOGNIZING REMEMBRANCE DAY
If attending a Remembrance Day memorial event:
- stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild;
- wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or is required;
- wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently; and
- consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to covid 19.
If you chose to sell poppies in-person:
- wear a face covering;
- have hand sanitizer and use it regularly; and
- consider not selling if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist