In the past year, COVID-19 has kept the world from participating in many events. Halloween was among the events impacted.
According to Mississippi State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, it is safe for families to participate in collecting candy this year, using hand sanitizer and passing out candy outdoors.
“I think most trick-or-treating sort of stuff is pretty safe,” State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said. “Just keeping it small or keeping it outdoors is going to be the thing to do.”
Parents have said in order to keep their kids safe this Halloween, they will carry hand sanitizer, wear masks and practice social distancing. Some will not participate in trick-or-treating at all.
Flowood resident Lindsey Simon plans to carry hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Despite being in a pandemic, Simon said Halloween is a part of her son’s childhood, and believes trick-or-treating is something he should experience.
“I don’t want to take his childhood away from him,” Simon said. “We only go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.”
Tamiaya Henderson of Pearl said she is bringing hand sanitizer and staying 6 feet apart when she goes out on Halloween with her son.
“My child didn’t get to experience trick-or-treating in the previous year due to the pandemic,” Henderson said. “I will make sure we are both wearing masks when approaching homes.”
Ridgeland resident Jenner Tiscareno said her son will not participate in any Halloween activities this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s just not safe because of COVID,” Tiscareno said. “My son is 2 years old and I feel he is not old enough to understand.”
For anyone wanting to take part in trick-or-treating this year, the CDC has found safe ways for people to enjoy the spooky holiday such as setting up stations with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
Here are a few tips from AlwaysATreat.com in making trick-or-treating a successful one:
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Wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and maintain distance from others.
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Bring extra masks and hand sanitizer.
- Only give and accept wrapped or packaged candy.
- Wait until arriving home to consume your candy to prevent removing your mask and reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
- Adults should accompany young children and ensure they are respecting appropriate distancing rules.
Not every house will pass out candy, and not everyone wants to travel door-to-door.
A few places in the Jackson area that families can enjoy trick-or-treat include:
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Trunk-or-treat at Freedom Ridge Park, 253 W. School St. This event allows kids to collect candy from the trunks of multiple cars. Admission is $5.00 per child.
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Park After Dark, 2145 Museum Blvd. This event is hosted by the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Trick-or-treating will be throughout the museum.
- Truck-or-Treat & Halloween Car Show, 200 Bass Pro Dr. At this event, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating in the Outlets of Mississippi parking lot, along with other activities.
Contact reporter Jantomi Hall at jantomihall@gmail.com.
