Here's what you need to know for a safe Halloween in Ottawa and eastern Ontario

People go trick-or-treating at a decorated home in the Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 in Ottawa. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA -

Ghosts and goblins return to the streets of Ottawa and eastern Ontario this Halloween, with trick-or-treating receiving the green light during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ottawa Public Health and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit say trick-or-treating can be done safely this Halloween, after recommending staying home last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Stay home if you are sick, even if symptoms are mild," said Dr. Brent Moloughney, Ottawa's associate medical officer of health. "And assess your risk before engaging in day-to-day activities – for Halloween and beyond."

Dr. Moloughney says residents not yet fully vaccinated, including children, should maintain physical distancing and wear a mask, especially indoors.

WEATHER

Rain is expected to end this afternoon, just in time for kids to go trick-or-treating across the region.

Environment Canada is calling for 10 to 20 mm of rain today. Tonight will be mainly cloudy with a chance of showers. High 11 C, low plus 5C.

HALLOWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE

The health units offer tips for trick-or-treaters and for people handing out treats at home this evening.

If you choose to give out treats:

• Wear a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained
• Keep interactions with trick-or-treaters brief
• Don’t set out a communal bowl for children to reach into and consider contactless candy distribution by using tongs
• Do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they're mild
• Only give out purchased and packaged Halloween treats
• Do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats
• Clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or hand sanitizer

If you choose to trick-or-treat door-to-door:

• Trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible
• Keep interactions with those handing out treats brief.
• Stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
• Ottawa Public Health recommends being creative and build the face covering into your costume, but "know a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering"
• Use hand sanitizer often
• Take turns one at a time when approaching doorsteps. Line up two metres apart if waiting
• Maintain physical distancing and wear a face covering if participating in indoor activities.
• Use hand sanitizer often

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says, "it is not necessary to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats" after trick-or-treating.

If you are attending a Halloween party, health units remind people that gathering restrictions remain in place in Ontario. Gatherings are capped at 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

 

TRICK-OR-TREATING SAFETY TIPS

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding parents and children to practice safety precautions for Halloween.

Children and parents

• Carry a flashlight and select a costume with bright colours and reflective material
• Avoid baggy, long and oversized costumes that can be a tripping hazard
• Stop, look and listen before crossing the street
• Don't criss-cross the street. Visit one side of the street, then the other and cross at crosswalks and intersections
• Never trick-or-treat alone
• Stay in a familiar neighbourhood and only go to well lit homes
• Don't go inside a home

Motorists are urged to be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters through the late afternoon and evening.