Halloween and Día de los Muertos will be different this year due to the pandemic and Virginia Health Department officials are encouraging families to take precautions for this year’s festivities. Their recommendations include avoiding trick or treating in large groups or outside your neighborhood. They also say recommend staying away from haunted houses and declining large indoor parties. So, what can you do?

HALLOWEEN SUGGESTIONS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that if you may have COVID-19 or if you were possibly exposed to the infection, you should not attend any in-person celebrations or give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

On its website, the CDC shares lists of low, moderate, and high risk activities to consider. Some low risk activities include carving or decorating pumpkins with members or your household or outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends. You could also hold a movie night or scavenger hunt with treats inside or around your home for your children.

Moderate risk activities include trick-or-treating where individual goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go, like on a table at the end of your driveway. Outdoor events, such as a costume parade or party where people remain more than 6 feet apart, also is on the list.

The CDC recommends avoiding high risk activities such as going on hayrides with people who are not in your household or going to a fall festival if your community is in an area where COVID-19 has spread.

DIA DO LOS MUERTOS SUGGESTIONS

The CDC’s recommendations for celebrating Día de los Muertos are similar to those of Halloween. Suggestions for low risk activities include preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, and providing no-contact delivery for the prepared dishes. You could also go virtual and celebrate with family around the world on Zoom or other video sharing programs.

Moderate risk activities include visiting and decorating the graves of loved ones with members of your household and remaining more than 6 feet from others.  Smaller gatherings outdoors, with social distancing, also is a moderate risk activity.

High risk activities to avoid include large indoor celebrations that may include singing or chanting, or a dinner party with people from different geographic locations.

As we approach the holidays, we at Mister Kleen want everyone to remain safe and healthy. We encourage you to follow the CDC recommendations – you can read them in detail at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.