STAUNTON – Halloween is still happening this year, but it’s going to be different.
Both the Virginia Department of Health and CDC has identified door-to-door trick-or-treating as high-risk activities and have provided guidelines on how to do that safely.
The more closely people interact with each other and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread, the VDH said. Events that involve large gatherings of individuals like large Halloween parties or haunted houses can increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and are not recommended, the VDH said.
But thanks to the Staunton Downtown Development Association has a number of fall activities to allow for safe celebration, the city said.
These SDDA-sponsored events are planned to mitigate the types of high-risk situations described in the public health guidelines and to bring energy, enjoyment and economic activity to small businesses throughout downtown Staunton during the upcoming holiday months, the city’s release said.
The News Leader has reached out to the City of Waynesboro, to see what is planned, but did not immediately hear back.
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There are a few opportunities to safely interact with downtown businesses throughout the fall. Here’s a list of SDDA-promoted fall activities:
Selfie stations — The SDDA with Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity and the Staunton Augusta Art Center will bring selfie stations to different locations throughout downtown. These spots will allow the community to snap a photo as they celebrate fall. Exact placement and timing of these will be announced soon. The stations will be offered through Thanksgiving.
Downtown specials — Many shops, restaurants and service-based businesses are offering fall promotions and specials, which will be added to the calendar as they come.
Halloween week (Oct. 25 through 31) activities:
Instead of tradition trick-or-treating event downtown, there will be several smaller activities.
Pumpkin scavenger hunt — Participating downtown businesses will be hiding pumpkins in their store windows. Individuals will have the opportunity to count the number of pumpkins they see and submit their guess to win a prize.
Themed, strolling characters – Medieval Fantasies Company will be coordinating costumed individuals that will stroll around downtown on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. All characters will be family-friendly.
Online costume contest — The City of Staunton’s Parks and Recreation Department will be offering an online costume contest. More information at stauntondowntown.org/events/.
Low risk activities
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
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 judgement 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
Have a news tip?
You can reach reporter Laura Peters at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Halloween happenings: What can you expect thanks to COVID-19
