The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) suggests families find other holiday fun than traditional house-to-house trick-or-treating. Here’s a rundown of the ADH COVID-19 Halloween Guidelines:

Masks

  • Halloween masks do not equal a cloth mask. 
  • Do not wear a cloth mask under a Halloween mask. 
  • Suggestion: Wear a mask! For a festive twist, find a cloth mask made from a Halloween fabric. 

Treats

  • Only accept factory-wrapped candies.
  • Do not enjoy candy until you have sanitized each piece. 
  • Safer ways to hand out treats:
    • Funnel them through a PVC pipe.
    • Place treats in bags for participants to pick up. 
    • Wash your hands for 20 seconds before and after putting together treat bags.
    • Maintain social distancing while kids grab bags and go. 

Moderate-Risk Activities  

  • One-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard). 
  • Small group (no more than 10 people) outdoor, open-air costume party or parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart.  
  • Trunk-or-treat event where masks are worn and social distancing can be assured. 
  • Open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced and people can remain more than 6 feet apart.
  • Pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is enforced and people are able to maintain social distancing.

High-Risk Activities to Avoid

  • Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.  
  • Trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots where social distancing between participants can’t be ensured.  
  • Crowded costume parties held indoors or large outdoor gatherings.  
  • Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming.  
  • Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Here are some low- to moderate-risk activities to enjoy around the metro this Halloween season: 

Of course, don’t forget to add classic activities like pumpkin carving and spooky porch decorations to your Halloween agenda. We also rounded up where you can get themed cookie decorating kits and gear to create another sweet way to celebrate. 

Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. Read our guidance for important...

Posted by Arkansas Department of Health on Tuesday, October 6, 2020