Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in consultation and at the recommendation and agreement with Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris and the Board of Public Health have announced that unfortunately due to the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, door-to-door trick or treating will not be allowed this year for Halloween. However, certain COVID-19 safe events, such as drive by, drive through, drive in, and/or car parade events may take place as long as proper public health and safety protocols and guidelines are followed and adhered to.
The City of Springfield is making this announcement as early as possible to give families and organizations proper time and notice to plan for these permitted Halloween events.
Mayor Sarno and HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris stated, “We have all worked so hard to continue to defeat this COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic by currently being designated a ‘green zone’, we just don’t want to go backwards. We must continue to be smart and safe in order to continue to build public, consumer, and business confidence.”
The City of Springfield would like to share information on how to take part in Halloween in a manner that reduces your risk of developing COVID-19.
Halloween Activities:
Not Permitted
- Door-to-door trick or treating is not allowed because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors. It is also important to protect the health of the public and of persons who are isolated or quarantined.
Not Recommended
- “Trick or treating” events where children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats are not recommended
- Gatherings or Parties with non-household members are not recommended even if they are conducted outdoors.
- Carnivals, festivals, live entertainments, and haunted house attractions are not recommended.
Permitted
- Online parties/contest (e.g. costumes or pumpkin carving).
- Car parades that comply with public health guidance for vehicle based parades.
- Drive by events or contest where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive by “judges” that are appropriately physically distanced.
- Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays.
- Drive in events where individuals receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle.
Personal Protection Measures:
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Wear a cloth face covering when outside your home and around others that are not part of your household.
- Avoid confined spaces - Actively stay away from indoor spaces that do not allow for easy distancing of at least 6 feet between you and others.
- Avoid close contact - Stay at least 6 feet away from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating, drinking and singing.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Clean frequently touched items regularly.
- If you are sick, or you been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 stay home, and away from others.