Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box shared guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when is comes to Halloween activities.
During Governor Eric Holcomb’s media briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Box stressed that consideration concerning COVID-19 should be taken seriously before participating in activities.
Dr. Box stated, “If you may have COVID-19, you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or you have any symptoms, you should not participate in any Halloween festivities and you should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.”
She provided some key elements for residents to remember.
“A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it’s made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed mask. If you’re going to a haunted house or any other scary event where screaming might occur, you should stay even more than six feet away from others who aren’t in your family to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”
The CDC has placed certain activities into risk factors. Dr. Box said the lower risk activities may include carving pumpkins with family members, decorating pumpkins outside, viewing outdoor decorations at a distance, decorating the home with family members, and an outdoor scavenger hunt.
The highest risk activities include the most common Halloween events such as door-to-door trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating where candy or other items are passed out to children, hay rides, indoor costume parties, and indoor haunted houses.
Dr. Box encourages everyone to wear recommended face coverings and stay at a social distance of six feet if attending any activities. If anyone is sick, stay home.
