Halloween Safety Precautions

News Release Date
10-19-2020
Back to News

Halloween Safety Precautions

Oct. 19, 2020

BEAUFORT, NC - The Town of Beaufort strongly urges citizens to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 this Halloween as its officials echo Federal and State warnings against door-to-door trick or treating this Halloween. There is concern that traditional Halloween celebrations could cause the holiday to become a super-spreader event in the community.

“Halloween is always a fun, safe, and family-friendly event in Beaufort. Unfortunately, this year Covid-19 is still spreading throughout Carteret County and the CDC has issued a warning that typical Halloween activities are high risk for infection. The recent rise in county deaths is a stark reminder of the seriousness of the virus” said Mayor Newton.

Carteret County Health Director Stephanie Cannon adds, “In light of COVID-19, the Health Department is encouraging the public to choose lower-risk Halloween activities this year. As a community, we can slow the spread of this virus by practicing the 3Ws (wear a mask, wait 6 feet from others, and wash our hands) and staying home when sick.”

Town officials are asking neighborhoods and families to leave their porch lights off on Halloween, as a signal that they are not participating in door-to-door trick-or-treating activities. Currently, under North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's executive order, no more than 50 people can gather outdoors together.

Alternate ideas for fun and safe Halloween events are encouraged, such as trick-or-treating among a small group of families that have a contactless candy delivery method as all participants wear face coverings.

The Town of Beaufort encourages everyone to follow the safety guidance issued the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) concerning Halloween.

Full details on guidance for all upcoming holidays may be found at on the CDC’s website. 

“Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Lower risk activities

These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives:

  • Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
  • Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
  • Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
  • Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
  • Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
  • Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
  • Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

Moderate risk activities

  • Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
    • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
  • Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
  • Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
    • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
    • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
  • Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
    • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
  • Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
  • Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
    • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
    • Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

Higher risk activities

Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

  • Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
  • Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
  • 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
  • Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors
  • Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19