This year we will have to make Halloween COVID safe which means following the government advice and keeping to groups of 6 or less and staying at least 2 metres apart from other people if we are to go trick or treating with our children.
This means there is a risk of virus transmission if children are allowed to knock on doors for trick or treat as they would do in normal times.
Using a face mask as part of the child’s Halloween costume is a fun way of reducing the risk of virus transmission but please don’t knock on doors unless you have agreed with the household in advance that it would be OK.
Obviously any household that has a member with symptoms should stay at home.
The CVA has been asked if we can organise something for the children and what we are suggesting is that households put out pumpkins ( other hollowed out vegetables are available ) and possibly Halloween themed scarecrows so that the children will at least have something to see around the village on Halloween.
If you are planning to put up a display please email info@catcottvillage.co.uk with your address and we will try to create treasure hunt map showing the locations. The map could be downloaded for use on Halloween.
At the time of writing (8th October) the government advice on the survival of the virus on surfaces is as follows…
“The infection risk from a contaminated environment decreases over time. It is not yet clear at what point there is no risk from the virus, however, studies suggest that, in non-healthcare settings, the risk of residual infectious virus is likely to be significantly reduced after 48 hours.”
Therefore it should be safe to prepare bags of wrapped sweets at least 48 hours in advance and put them on trays that could be put out by the pumpkin or scarecrow on the evening as long as the children only touched the bag that they pick up. Alternatively tie individual bags of sweets to a fence or tree for the children to pick up. If the children use hand sanitiser between each house visit that would reduce the minimal risk of cross infection even further.
I’m sure everyone will take care this Halloween and hopefully there will be something for the children to enjoy.
There is a good article on this subject on the BBC at
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54180119