Detroit Officials Set Guidelines For Safe Trick-Or-Treating During Pandemic

Detroit officials are urging residents to celebrate Halloween — including trick-or-treat plans — safely, in hopes of avoiding another COVID-19 spike.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed traditional trick-or-treating a higher-risk activity, as opposed to some low-risk alternatives to celebrate Halloween, including pumpkin carving, decorating and trick-or-treating in a scavenger hunt style.

Local officials noted low-, moderate- and high-risk activities in a city news release issued Wednesday (October 14). The city also listed rules for trick-or-treating, rules for those passing out candy, rules for businesses hosting a Halloween event, and noted city-sponsored activities.

In Michigan, there are 154,455 total cases and there have been more than 7,000 deaths as of Wednesday.

“Detroiters have done a great job following safety protocols and keeping our city among the lowest infection rates in Michigan,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in the release. “Community activities like Halloween present opportunities for spread, so the Health Department has laid out some very sensible guidelines for families to follow to keep our children safe this year."

Although some are discouraging trick-or-treating this year — including in Dearborn — others are stressing tips to ensure that those who still choose to celebrate do so safely.

“Given all the hard work by Detroiters in managing COVID-19 in our city, everyone deserves the opportunity to relax and celebrate, and Halloween is the perfect opportunity,” Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair said in the release. “That’s why we have developed guidelines to support residents and trick-or-treaters, as well as those establishments that are hosting events, so that everyone who chooses to celebrate may safely enjoy Halloween as we continue navigating COVID-19 and flu season.”

State officials advise only trick-or-treating with family, remain six feet away from others, wear a mask, allow homeowners to place candy in the bag rather than reaching into a bowl, and others.

Trick-or-treaters should wash hands immediately after returning home and set the candy aside for at least 24 hours before digging into it.

Anyone passing out candy should wear a mask, use gloves, set up markings to help others remain distant, and more.

Anyone feeling sick should stay home, the city added.

Visit halloween2020.org to make decisions based on COVID-19 risk levels broken down county-by-county in each state.

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