Halloween is only a few weeks away, but the spooky season comes with new safety suggestions. Health officials released guidance on celebrating the holiday Friday, warning traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating to be a high risk activity.
Santa Barbara County Public Health officials strongly encourage alternatives to trick-or-treating such as trunk or treating, car parades, or planning a socially distanced costume parade.
“Because we are in a pandemic where the threat of COVID-19 is substantial in our community, traditional trick-or-treating will not be an option for kids this year," Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Director Van Do-Reynoso said in a press conference Friday.
Scary signs and spooky faces have already started to fill some yards in Santa Maria.
Angela Frankland says she is willing to let her son go out for Halloween safely, so he's not disappointed.
"Personally I don’t have any concerns going door to door. Halloween is for the kids," Frankland said. "I don’t want to take them out and people turning them away, I don’t want my kids to feel alienated in any way, shape or form.”
Frankland plans to have a bowl outside her home for candy cravers.
Down the street from her house with blown up decorations, Aiden and his grandfather Mark Goodman are eager for Oct. 31.
“This little guy loves Halloween so he goes through the boxes, even in the summer time," Goodman said.
Goodman says he is a bit hesitant about trick-or-treaters coming to his house for candy, but still wants to make the most for his grandson this holiday.
"If nothing just walking around and just experiencing it as opposed to getting candy," Goodman said.
For details on Santa Barbara County Halloween guidance click here.
San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials say if those choose to take part in higher risk, more traditional Halloween activities, they should take steps to reduce the risk such as limiting contact while distributing treats and preparing treats safely.
In San Luis Obispo, the following are considered to be the highest risk and will not be permitted:
- carnivals or festivals
- live entertainment
- indoor and outdoor haunted houses
- in-person parties or gatherings involving people outside of your social bubble
For full guidance on recommend activities for a safe Halloween in San Luis Obispo click here.
