As October approaches, cities in the Chicago area are laying out guidelines for trick-or-treating amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot released eight guidelines for celebrating Halloween safely this year, as well as plans for activities and programming surrounding the holiday.
The guidelines, according to the city, read as follows:
- Masks aren’t just for trick-or-treaters this year! Everyone—including candy givers—should wear a face covering (multi-layered, covering the mouth and nose, without gaps around the face).
- Leave a light on or hang a Halloweek sign in your window to let others know your house is giving out candy safely.
- Handing out candy? Please socially distance and have hand sanitizer, too.
- Trick or treating? Stay on the move! Less congregating means more houses and more candy.
- Ensure there’s all treats and no tricks. Please don’t reach into candy bowls while trick or treating, and eat candy only at home after washing your hands.
- No Haunted Houses. They are truly spooky and dangerous this year.
- Keep your candy crew small. Trick-or-treating groups should be 6 people or less.
- No house parties large or small this year.
“This year more than ever it is important to celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “With these guidelines we are making sure that children and adults that want to enjoy Halloween can do so without putting themselves or their community at risk.”
The city will host "Halloweek" activities like safe trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed programs from the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library and other departments and partners, Lightfoot's office said.
Illinois health officials released Halloween guidelines last week, saying anyone who thinks they could have COVID-19, or has been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, should not participate in any Halloween activities, officials said.
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Illinois Department of Public Health's guidance reads as follows:
Trick-or-treating
- 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.
An alternative to traditional trick-or-treating is to set up in a large parking lot or other outdoor setting with tables with individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) where participants with a parent/guardian can parade past while still keeping 6-feet of distance and wearing a face covering. It’s suggested to offer reserved time slots to limit everyone showing up at once.
After participating in trick-or-treating, anyone who thinks they may have been exposed should take extra precautions for at least 14 days after the event, staying home, avoiding people at increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 and getting tested, experts say.
Here are the plans for some Chicago suburbs:
Aurora
The Aurora mayor said trick-or-treaters will be required to wear face masks and social distance while traveling from house to house. People distributing candy are required to wear gloves and a mask, and encouraged to use individual bags of treats.
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Elk Grove Village
Elk Grove Village officials encouraged children to wear a mask while trick-or-treating unless the costume already has two or more layers of fabric. The city created green and red signs to identify which houses are participating in the traditions. For contact-less distribution, officials said people could make individual bags, hang treats from a clothesline or create a "candy slide."
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Evanston
Evanston health officials released guidelines requiring trick-or-treaters to wear a face covering, maintain six feet of distance, keep hands clean and limit the number of houses to visit. To people distributing candy, the city asked that goodie bags be placed on front porches and yards rather than a communal bowl or face-to-face interaction.
Trick-or-treating hours: 4 p.m to 7 p.m.
Flossmoor
The Village of Flossmoor advised residents participating in trick-or-treating to follow IDPH guidelines, Otherwise, the city will host a "Trick-or-Treat Trail," which is a free event that allows for social distancing and proper CDC protocol, according to officials.
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Glenview
Glenview officials encouraged children to wear face coverings while traveling from house to house, as a costume mask will not be enough. The city created signs for residents to display in their windows showing whether or not the house welcomes trick-or-treaters this year.
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect officials posted on Facebook that all participating in trick-or-treating should follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The city encouraged people to use motion sensors rather than door bells to indicate trick-or-treaters at the door and use contact-less candy distribution when possible.
Trick-or-treating hours: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Naperville
City officials in Naperville encouraged trick-or-treaters to wear face coverings and travel in small groups, maintaining a "safe distance" from others. Parents are advised to remind children to avoid eating candy until home and hands are washed. For those passing out candy, the city asked that people wear face coverings and gloves, while avoiding a communal treat bowl. Naperville created signs to display in homes saying if the house welcomes trick-or-treating.
No official trick-or-treating times.
Northfield
In Northfield, village officials advised trick-or-treaters to avoid congregating in groups, or to avoid trick-or-treating altogether. Trunk-or-treat events are discouraged as opposed to typical outdoor trick-or-treating, which can allow for social distancing. If not placing candy outside a home, officials advised those distributing treats to wear a face covering and gloves.
Trick-or-treating hours: 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
West Chicago
West Chicago officials encouraged trick-or-treaters to follow CDC guidelines and gather candy as a household rather than in groups. For those distributing, the city recommended people hand out candy instead of using a communal bowl, and offer a variety of items other than treats.
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wheeling
Wheeling officials said they cannot guarantee the health and safety of those who choose to participate in trick-or-treating this year. For children who do, the city encouraged face masks and social distancing while traveling from house to house. For those distributing candy, officials said people should place a candy bowl outside or individually wrap bags of treats. Wheeling asked that people do not distribute homemade food.
Trick-or-treating hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
