Now that Zone 1 has returned to the yellow phase of public health restrictions, Halloween is back on in Sackville. Or at least area residents will now be permitted to celebrate Halloween the old fashioned way, complete with trick-or-treating.
There are still pandemic protocols to follow, however. Here’s some of the key messages from New Brunswick Public Health.
As always, masks (not the scary kind) should be worn whenever you can’t maintain two meters of distance with people outside your friends and family bubble.
Public Health also suggests people who are giving out treats should sanitize their hands between visitors, and keep high-touch areas such as door handles and railings clean. They should also try to minimize the amount of touching going on, which means no more letting kids rummage through a bowl of candy for their favourites. If you’re not up to building an elaborate, haunted candy chute, like some enthusiasts…
…then you can always use the simple method of asking the trick-or-treater to leave their bag on the step while you contribute to their annual candy haul.
If you are in a higher risk group for COVID-19, Public Health says it’s best not to participate in Halloween this year. They suggest putting a sign on your door such as “Have a Happy and Safe Halloween: No Visitors Please.”
Trick-or-treaters should wash their hands before heading out and upon returning home, says Public Health, and bring hand sanitizer just in case. If you can’t avoid eating treats en route, then make sure to wash or sanitize your hands before eating.
Public Health also says to try to limit trick-or-treating to one neighbourhood only and keep track of where you go.
Dr. Jennifer Russell has been heavily promoting the use of the COVID Alert app, which keeps track of other app users that you have come in close contact with by exchanging codes over Bluetooth. The app will alert you if someone you’ve had close contact with later develops COVID-19.
There are some Halloween activities happening in the Tantramar area. All activities are permitted as long as they follow public health guidelines.
Truman Blueberry Farms is open on October 31, 2020 from 12pm-4pm and offering treats for kids in addition to their usual delights.
The Tantramar COVID-19 Task Force is partnering with other community groups to run Halloween contests for costumes and DIY-designed face masks.
The town of Sackville has put out a call out for creative writing in the zombie fiction vein.
If you’ve got an event to add, please email news@chmafm.com.
