As residents begin preparations for the holiday season, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued their guidance on Halloween festivities.
In phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, trick-or-treating will be permitted.
IDPH recommends those who decide to participate in trick-or-treating this year to follow these recommendations:
– Anyone participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain 6-feet of social distance and wear proper face coverings.
– Consider leaving individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) on a table in driveways or in front of walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space where 6-feet of distance can be maintained.
– A Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Ensure that breathing is not impaired if a cloth mask is worn under a costume mask. If so, discard the costume mask.
– Trick-or-treat in groups with household members only.
– Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be eaten until after handwashing.
Pumpkin patches and orchards are permitted to operate during this time, with IDPH reminding attendees to follow mask and social distancing requirements. Meanwhile, hayrides are permitted to operate at 50 percent capacity under safe social distancing guidelines. Haunted houses will not be permitted to operate under Phase 4 guidance of the Restore Illinois plan.
You can read IDPH’s full Halloween guidelines at: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/halloween-guidance.