Health officials share trick-or-treat tips to combat coronavirus

Halloween may be scarier this year than usual because of pandemic health concerns, according to Denver health officials.

Denver remains in a “safer-athome” state in response to COVID-19 — a level 2 category that includes certain restrictions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus — according to a Denver Public Health & Environment news release.

Trick-or-treating should be done with family members and people you live with, the health department said. “Keep six feet apart from those not in your household,” the release said.

Time spent gathering candy should be shortened, with fewer households visited compared to years past. Anyone feeling ill should stay home and avoid activities and visitors. Bring hand sanitizer, along with a pumpkin basket, and take breaks to apply the sanitizer, the release added.

A Halloween mask is not a substitute for a protective face mask. Kids should wear a protective mask, under their costume mask, and make sure it covers nose and mouth.

“Kids two years and younger are not required to wear a face covering, but everyone three years and older must wear one unless they cannot medically tolerate it,” the news release said.

Households greeting Halloween visitors should minimize direct contacts with visitors.

Hosts should disinfect doorbell buttons and other high-touch surfaces outside the home, especially at the evening’s end, the release said. Hosts should distribute the treats, and not have multiple kids reach into a bowl to retrieve treats.

Kids should wash their hands thoroughly at the end of the night.

“Halloween 2020 will be unlike any other in recent history. We’re dealing with a global pandemic. And for most of us, it means uncertain times,” said Robert Mcdonald, executive director of DDPHE, in the release. “But if we are careful, if we maintain proper social distancing, if we wear our face coverings and use sanitizer, we can maintain a little bit of our traditions and enjoy a fun evening with loved ones.”

Halloween parties should be kept to small numbers, with no more than 10 people. Wear protective masks, social distance and no buffets. Skip the karaoke, as “singing more easily spreads the virus.”

Denver haunted houses — businesses that frighten customers — must enforce social distancing and regularly sanitize touch points and surfaces. Visitors and staffers must wear protective masks and staffers will be temperature screened.

As Halloween creeps closer on the calendar, revelers are urged to check with the state’s COVID19 Dial Dashboard for the status, and limitations, of their local community.