Now guising is out over fears sweets could spread virus

IT is a centuries-old tradition which is enjoyed by thousands of children every year.

But now guising has been banned over fears of coronavirus being spread via bags of sweets.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Scots should not leave sweets on their doorsteps for children this Halloween amid fears it could transmit Covid-19. He said this was not only to limit interactions between people but also to prevent treats from becoming ‘purveyors of coronavirus’.

At the weekend, the Scottish Government urged families not to go guising this Halloween amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Normally youngsters would be preparing to go door to door dressed up in costumes asking for sweets and chocolates.

But ministers are encouraging people to plan activities for their children at home instead. It was suggested parents could leave out treats in their garden for passing youngsters, meaning distancing rules are not breached.

Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Swinney said that Scots have to be ‘realistic’ about the serious impact of Covid-19.

The Deputy First Minister said: ‘We’re advising parents not to engage in guising with their children, and that means not going door to door as children would normally undertake.

‘I appreciate that is disappointing advice to individuals, but again, I’ve got to be realistic – we’ve got a very serious situation with the virus. The interaction of humans is how the virus is spread and that can also be spread by the touching of items like sweeties, like bags of sweeties.

‘So it’s quite conceivable, without anybody knowing that they were doing any harm to anybody else, somebody could give a child an assembled bag of sweeties – my son went out guising last year, he got from our very kind neighbours, little bags of sweeties – those bags could be the purveyors of coronavirus.’

Mr Swinney claimed that the ban on guising ‘doesn’t mean Halloween can’t happen’ and said ‘there can be all the dressing up people want to do’.

However, he warned: ‘ What we can’t do is enable children to go round doors because it would be an opportunity to spread the virus.’

Current restrictions in Scotland mean households cannot mix indoors.

A breach of Covid rules can result in a £60 fine, rising to £10,000 and court action if the offender refuses to pay.

It is understood guising will not result in a fine, as long as it does not breach existing rules such as the household gatherings ban. Scots have also been warned not to hold large gatherings in their gardens for Bonfire Night.

Organised events across the country have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The Government’s Parent Club website advises that families could have a safe Halloween at home by dressing up, playing games and telling stories.

For Bonfire Night, it suggests gathering in smaller groups following official corona virus guidance.

Many businesses that consider Halloween to be their busiest period are concerned about the impact of the latest restrictions.

Geoff Paterson, owner of Jens Haby and Fancy Dress shop in Glasgow, said sales of adult costumes have ‘plummeted’ due to the closure of bars and restaurants and he is now ‘relying heavily’ on children’s costumes.

He told the BBC: ‘It’s definitely got the potential to ruin me.’

‘Means not going door to door’