It’s the time of year again for creative costumes, trick-or-treating for goodies, and pumpkin decorating! With the pandemic still creating a lot of unknowns, Alaska’s families are considering how to celebrate Halloween safely (again) this year.
Previous guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and State of Alaska suggests the following low to moderate risk activities for Halloween safety:
Suggested At-Home Activities (Lower Risk)
- Have a costume party at home, or host a virtual costume event.
- Carve pumpkins and roast the seeds, or bake other fun Halloween-themed goodies.
- Instead of trick-or-treating, hide treats in your house and have a scavenger hunt with your family.
- Decorate your house together.
- Not taking trick-or-treaters? Turn your porch lights off to let families know you aren’t handing out treats. You also can make fun signs or arrange Halloween decorations to encourage people not to approach your doorstep.
Suggested Outdoor Activities (Moderate Risk)
- Host a small group, outdoors, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than six feet apart and wearing CDC recommended masks.
- A costume Halloween mask is NOT a substitute for a COVID-19 mask or fabric face covering. Click here to learn more about CDC approved face coverings.
- Host an outdoor Halloween movie night with people spaced at least six feet apart.
- Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.
Families who love Halloween and other holidays can and should celebrate during the pandemic. By taking different approaches, Alaskans are one step closer to staying safe during the pandemic.