Ontario’s top doctor is urging kids in COVID-19 hotspots not to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Dr. David Williams made the recommendation on Monday morning in a news release.
“Given the high transmission of COVID-19 in the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions of Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region, traditional door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended and people should consider alternative ways to celebrate,” he said.
Instead, officials say that families should celebrate Halloween in their own household by organizing a candy hunt, carving pumpkins or hosting a movie night.
Williams also said that families should not travel outside of their neighbourhoods to go trick-or-treating.
Toronto, Peel Region, and Ottawa reverted to Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan earlier this month, with York Region joining the list of COVID-19 hotspots on Monday.
Under Stage 2, indoor dining has been prohibited and facilities such as gyms and movie theatres have been forced to close.
For families living outside of the COVID-19 hotspots, Williams recommends only going trick-or-treating outdoors with members of your household. Both trick-or-treaters and those handing out candy should wear masks.
“A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe,” officials clarified.
Officials are asking people not to “congregate or linger at doorsteps” and to stay physically distanced while waiting for candy.
Homeowners are also being asked not to leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children and to consider using tongs or other tools to hand out candy.
Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said the decision to cancel trick-or-treating in Ontario’s largest cities “doesn’t sit right” with him and that the goal should always be to try and carry out normal activities safely.
“I think this is something that we can likely do in a safe manner,” Bogoch told CTV News Toronto, adding that if people stick within their household units, stay physically distant from others and use hand sanitizer the risk is relatively low.
“Of course, something like this requires people who are trick-or-treating to be mindful of the area around them and maybe require some situational awareness on behalf of the parents to keep kids out of crowded areas, but it certainly can be done in a safe manner.”
At the same time, Bogoch said that it’s important that everyone continue to follow the advice and recommendations made by public health officials.
Photo credit: Collected
News source: CTV News
