By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – As Downriver residents ponder how to safely celebrate Halloween during a pandemic, Allen Park City Manager Mark Kibby offered some insight into how to scare up some spooky safe fun.
Kibby reassured residents that, aside from establishing curfews, cities cannot cancel a nationally recognized holiday, even Halloween, or restrict resident movement.
He suggests that all who wish to celebrate Halloween adapt their celebration so that they embrace the safety guidelines set forth by the state of Michigan and Wayne County with respect to social distancing and the other type of mask wearing.
Kibby said that houses with a confirmed COVID-19 case or a symptomatic household member should not interact with others at Halloween, and should remain in quarantine.
He also recommended that treats be handed out in individual wrapped goody bags, so that trick or treaters aren’t spreading germs by reaching into a common candy bowl.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends low risk Halloween activities like pumpkin carving, decorating one’s house and yard, scavenger hunts, virtual Halloween costume contests and a spooky-themed movie night at home.
Moderate risk activities include grab-and-go trick or treating with individually wrapped treats, outdoor and socially-distanced costume parades, and outdoor parties with social distancing and facial – not costume – masks worn.
Haunted forests, apple orchard visits and outdoor movie nights present moderate risk, and are safer when participants maintain social distancing.
High risk activities include door-to-door trick or treating where candy is handed out, trunk-or-treat events, which tend to be crowded, indoor parties, haunted houses, hayrides and travel to other areas for autumn events.
Older celebrants are urged to remember that the use of alcohol and drugs lower inhibitions and increase the likelihood of risky behavior.
For more Halloween tips from the CDC, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.