The Department of Public Health (DPH) advises all residents to stay home and refrain from Halloween activities if you do not feel well; if you have tested positive for COVID-19; if you have been exposed to anyone with COVID-19, or if you have traveled to or from any state not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days.
The DPH says anyone wishing additional information should go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several low risk alternative activities that community members can take part in for Halloween.
Low risk alternatives include the following: carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them, or, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends; decorating your house, apartment, or living space; conducting a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance; having a virtual Halloween costume contest; having a family Halloween movie night; having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.
For more guidance, visit the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
LYNN
Mayor Thomas M. McGee strongly recommends against Halloween activities that have been designated as “high risk” by the CDC, including trick-or-treating.
“Keep your lights off,” said McGee. “Don’t buy candy. Everybody needs to be part of this as we talk about a solution towards limiting the spread. I have strongly recommended (that) there is no trick-or-treating this year.”
In addition, McGee is urging residents to refrain from other high risk activities such as costume parties and other indoor gatherings with people who are not part of their household.
“There’s a list of low risk activities people can take a look at,” said McGee, noting that the city is still designated a red, or high risk community for COVID-19. I continue to strongly recommend that people do not do any of the high risk activities and that includes trick-or-treating. That is not the kind of activity that we should be doing this year.”
If residents do opt to partake in trick-or-treating this Halloween, McGee said handing out candy in the traditional way, “hand-to-hand” at the door, is a “no-no.”
Instead residents should follow the guidelines issued by the DPH, which lowers the activity to a moderate risk by distribution methods such as separating bags, wrapping the bags individually to avoid contamination, or leaving candy outside for trick-or-treaters, McGee said.
Citing the virus surge that’s been seen not only in Lynn, but across the country in the past several months, McGee urges residents to avoid holding Halloween parties. City officials partly attributed a summer spike to parties and social gatherings, but as of Tuesday, he said the recent parties seen in Lynn have not been Halloween-related.
“We need to work together to handle the risk,” said McGee. “We can save a life, you can save a life by following the guidelines, (such as using) hand sanitizer, not gathering with groups or being with (other) people.
“Even as the holidays like Halloween, Christmas or Thanksgiving are coming, we need to continue to be vigilant, strong and should (understand) that we are a community that can get through this together.”
LYNNFIELD
The DPH advises residents to take numerous precautions on Halloween, starting with keeping gatherings outside, not indoors. Candy should be placed on a platter instead of a bowl.
Instead of traditional trick-or-treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
Face masks should be worn to protect themselves and others. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage, https://www.mass.gov/news/mask-up-ma. A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.
Residents need to continue to observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol, as well as not touching your face. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
Maintain social distancing of a minimum of six feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.
Those who do not wish to participate in trick or treat are asked to shut off their outdoor lights as an indicator.
The town also has posted a list of activities that should be avoided, including attending indoor, crowded-costume parties or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits; indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming; going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household, and using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behavior.
Anyone who may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, should not participate in in-person Halloween activities or give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
MARBLEHEAD
The Marblehead Board of Health has issued guidance for ways to safely observe Halloween that is similar to what has been released by the CDC and DPH.
The Board of Health recommends low-risk activities, such as carving pumpkins, decorating your house or apartment, holding a physically distanced Halloween scavenger hunt, participating in a virtual costume contest, or watching a Halloween movie.
The town is allowing trick-or-treating, but with recommended restrictions, such as telling people to keep their groups small as possible, with no more than 10 people. Groups should not mix and mingle with other groups, masks should be worn, hand sanitizer should be carried and used, and social distancing should be observed.
People are encouraged to avoid traditional trick-or-treating methods, such as knocking on doors and reaching into a communal bowl of candy.
Instead, the town advises people to leave individually wrapped goody bags lined up at least six feet from their door for kids to grab candy and go, accompany their children to ensure they trick-or-treat safely, encourage one-way trick-or-treating by waiting until groups have moved on before approaching a home, and have children wait at least 24 hours before unwrapping and consuming candy.
“Stay home and do not hand out candy if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19,” said the Board of Health memo. “Keep your lights off so people know not to come to your door.”
And if you must celebrate, “take it outside,” said the Board of Health.
“When celebrating with others, do it outdoors.”
NAHANT
Like most nearby communities, Nahant Town Administrator Tony Barletta is asking residents to stick to the state-recommended safety guidelines, or simply turn their lights off if they aren’t interested in receiving trick-or-treaters at their doorstep.
“We believe that if you follow the guidance, it’s actually pretty safe,” Barletta said. “It’s really up to the homeowners and the parents, and we’re providing them the guidelines on how to (celebrate) the holiday in a safe way.”
At the time of publication, Nahant, as one of the state’s smallest towns, is considered to be in the gray zone on the state’s tracking map with fewer than five active cases of COVID-19.
Residents have still received robocalls and emails reminding them of the rules to adhere by this year, but all in all, Barletta is confident that Nahant will be able to celebrate a relatively normal Halloween safely.
“We’re just saying that if you’re going to participate, we’re highly encouraging folks to take advantage of the free COVID testing that’s happening in Swampscott and Lynn and other communities,” he said. “Our residents have done a great job (so far) of adhering to social distancing guidelines, and we expect that they’re going to do the same if they participate in this.”
PEABODY
The city is advising residents that trick-or-treating should take place on Halloween night (Saturday, Oct. 31) at its traditional time, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Parents should accompany their children whenever possible and keep groups to no larger than 10 people. Large indoor gatherings of any kind are also discouraged.
Residents should wear masks and carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently-touched surfaces and before eating candy or other treats. Residents are to observe social-distancing guidelines and stay at least six feet apart from others.
The Peabody Department of Public Health reminds residents that Halloween masks are not a substitute for face coverings.
Residents who do not wish to participate in handing out treats are advised to turn off their outdoor lights and trick-or-treaters are advised to honor residents’ wishes.
Candy should be individually wrapped in grab-and-go-type bags. Residents are discouraged from handing out candy from bowls or allowing children to help themselves to bowls of unwrapped candy. If you plan to hand out candy, provide individually wrapped grab-and-go goodie bags rather than candy from a bowl.
REVERE
The high school turns into “Spooktacular Lane” for Halloween on Saturday with COVID-19 precautions protocols in force.
Restricted to Revere residents, tickets for the noon-4 p.m. event are almost sold out.
Adults will drive up to the high school, 101 School St., and children will walk through the Spooktacular Lane while observing social distancing guidelines.
Drivers must remain in their vehicle although families with young children should arrive with two adults so that one can accompany children on the walk. Parks and Recreation staff will be on hand to accompany younger children as needed. Masks will be required for all attendees.
“Halloween is one of my family’s favorite holidays, but for the health of our community, we have to celebrate differently this year. We hope this alternative option provides our young people with a safer way to have some fun,” Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo said.
The city’s website on Tuesday listed 24 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 3,253 with a seven-day case average of 28.9 cases.
“We’ve made some good progress over the past few weeks in terms of stabilizing our numbers. But we have to remain vigilant to ensure we are in the best possible position with the onset of colder weather and in anticipation of another surge in cases. I’m asking our residents to support us in this effort by not participating in high-risk activities. We are all in this together,” Arrigo added.
Drivers must register for a time slot in advance at www.revererec.org. For more information, please contact the Revere Parks and Recreation office at (781) 286-8190.
Mindful of COVID-19 precautions the city released trick-or-treat suggestions for Saturday, mirroring Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Higher risk activities should be avoided to help prevent the spread of the virus and participating in lower-risk activities, including:
• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
Moderate risk activities include:
- Participating in 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)
- If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
- Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than six feet apart.
SALEM
The city announced new Halloween safety protocols in response to the pandemic.
“Ordinarily, there is no better place to celebrate Halloween than Salem,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Our first priority from the outset of this pandemic has been keeping residents, employees, and visitors healthy and safe. To help ensure we can meet that goal, we are taking action to limit the number of people who will be in Salem on Halloween and the day prior.”
MBTA train service to Salem will be limited the week leading up to Halloween. MBTA commuter rail trains outbound from Boston will not stop at Salem station on Oct. 30 between 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and on Oct. 31 between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
All city parking garages and lots will close to entering traffic at noon on Oct. 30, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1.
Salem is temporarily expanding resident parking areas to additional streets during the final two weekends of Oct. and will be ticketing and towing illegally parked vehicles.
The city has mandated closures of retail, museums, attractions, walking tours, restaurants at 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
There will be no events on Halloween night in Salem. The city encourages anyone trick-or-treating to be home by 8 p.m. They advise that those giving out candy should leave it outside for trick-or-treaters to take and only in individual, not communal, receptacles, and that residents of other communities should not trick or treat in Salem.
They also advise against gathering for Halloween parties.
SAUGUS
As the town bounces between being labeled a high and moderate risk community each week on the state’s map, Town Manager Scott Crabtree is simply asking trick-or-treaters to be safe as they go from house to house this year.
“We’re just telling people to follow the state’s guidelines regarding Halloween activities and trick-or-treating,” he said. “We don’t have any town events that we sponsor, so we’re just making sure people stay informed and educated about the safety measures set out by the state.”
He added that most other Halloween-related activities around town — typically hosted by numerous local organizations — have been canceled as Saugus schools await the go-ahead to return to part-time in-person learning, which is currently scheduled to happen early next month.
“We’ve got to really be careful,” Crabtree said in a message directed toward residents. “If you’re planning on doing some events with your family and children, just be really cautious in order to keep yourself and others safe.”
SWAMPSCOTT
The town leaves the choice of whether to participate in Halloween activities up to the residents and has issued a set of guidelines for trick-or-treaters and people handing out candy:
For trick-or-treaters:
- Stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Accompany your child to make sure they trick-or-treat safely
- Keep your groups as small as possible
- Wear a mask (not just a Hallween costume mask, that may not be safe from COVID-19 particles!)
- Carry hand sanitizer to use between each house
- Stay six feet apart from others
For people handing out treats:
- Do not give out candy if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Put out individually wrapped goodie bags or candy spaced out on a baking sheet
- Do not leave out candy in a bowl
- Keep candy six feet from your door
- Do not have children come to your door or hand candy from a bowl
- Wear a mask
They also suggest some safer Halloween activities, such as carving a pumpkin, decorating your yard, or holding a virtual costume party. They advise residents against holding parties or gatherings inside.