Town of Norwood Shares Guidelines for a Safe and Healthy Halloween

NORWOOD — General Manager Tony Mazzucco and Health Director Sigalle Reiss would like to share safety tips for trick-or-treating and alternative Halloween activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“It is important that people who choose to celebrate Halloween this year do so safely, especially with Norwood’s recent uptick in COVID-19 cases,” Health Director Reiss said. “We urge everyone to avoid any large celebrations or activities where people will be in close proximity to each other. Safely celebrating also means wearing a mask, keeping the proper physical distance between yourself and others and not participating in Halloween activities if you feel unwell.” 

Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits.

Tips for safe Halloween activities from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include the following:

• Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
• Place candy 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.
• Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
• Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
  • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask. 
• Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
• Refrain from touching your face.
• Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
• Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
• Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
• Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

Activities to Avoid:

• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits.
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if you feel unwell, you have tested positive for COVID-19, you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage. 

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