Guidance for Halloween Safety 2023

Halloween is a time of wonder and excitement. The chance for children and adults to enjoy the festivities this year comes with some risk, since COVID-19 is still with us. Taking some additional steps is necessary to protect your family, friends, and the community at large.

The best thing that eligible individuals can do to protect their health and the health of their children is to get vaccinated. If your last vaccine or booster was before September 12, 2023, you should be eligible to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Neighborhood Trick or Treating

Parents or guardians who intend to take their child(ren) trick-or-treating need to help protect everyone’s health and safety. Please follow these guidelines for Halloween-related events.

1. Trick or treaters and their parents/guardians should be masked indoors and in crowded areas outdoors.
2. Home residents can be masked, or they can leave individually wrapped candy or treats at the front of their lawns or driveways.
3. Once home, children need to wash their hands with soap and water. A parent/guardian should assess the candy to make sure all packages are wrapped, discarding any unwrapped candy.
4. Children should be encouraged to practice good dental hygiene. Parents/guardians should set an example by practicing good dental hygiene themselves.
5. Local areas are encouraged to schedule community trick or treating, drive-through or trunk or treating.

Trunk or Treat

Drive-by events may also be an alternative where children dress up and are driven to the event by their parents/guardians.

In large parking lots, tables could be pre-set up and children allowed to parade around with parent/guardian. A limited number of persons should staff the event and keep tables replenished and monitor social distancing. Children should wash their hands with soap and water before they are allowed to consume candy.

1. Recruit a set number of cars.
2. Create a map of where cars will be with plenty of space between.
3. Advertise with information about social distancing and encouraging mask-wearing.
4. Package candies or little favors in treat bags for easy distribution.
5. Create signage to direct the flow of traffic.
6. Draw markers on the ground to keep social distancing.

Other Types of Halloween Events

1. Hayrides or tractor rides. Limit the number of riders to 10 or less (at a time). Riders must adhere to local restrictions for face coverings and social/physical distancing. Organizers shall limit the time customers linger in the area around the hayrides to 30 minutes.
2. Halloween scavenger hunts, where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house.
3. Recreation Center events. The City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will hold Halloween-themed events.

After the Celebrations

If you participated in high-risk activities or think you may have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19:

1. Know when to get tested.
2. Know when to quarantine.

References

• How to Protect Yourself and Others. Updated July 6, 2023
• Halloween Survival Guide. Accessed October 26, 2023