EAST CENTRAL — Trick-or-treating has been given the green light for non-isolating households across Saskatchewan, but only without direct physical contact between trick-or-treaters and those distributing Halloween treats.
To do this, the province recommends participants should use tools, such as tongs, to distribute candy at a distance.
This comes in the most recent version of the Reopen Saskatchewan Plan, known as the Fall Activities Guidelines.
The plan also suggests alternatives to trick-or-treating such as costume viewing from windows, virtual means or photos, decorating households and yards for viewing from afar, or a costume parade where physical distancing can be maintained.
In trick-or-treating, the province requires all trick-or-treaters keep a two metre distance between individuals who are not in the same household or extended household at all times, and wait until one group has left a house before approaching any household.
They recommend that youth wait 72 hours before consuming treats, or clean the candy wrappers with disinfectant wipes. This is due to the number of people potentially touching the treats prior to them being handed out.
For households giving out candy, the province asks that only one person per household hand out the candy, and common touch areas such as handrails, doorbells and doorknobs should be frequently cleaned and disinfected while distributing sweets.
For families that expect a large number of trick-or-treaters, the province recommends placing tape markers every two metres between doorways, sidewalks or driveways to promote physical distancing.
Both households handing out candy and trick-or-treaters are being asked to practice hand hygiene, and wear non-medical masks such as cloth or other materials when two-metres cannot be maintained.
For trick-or-treaters, the province recommends this can be done by incorporating the masks into their costumes, while ensuring their eyes are not covered for safety reasons.
Pumpkin Patches have also been given approval to operate, with physical distancing at all times
The full Fall Activities Guidelines can be found on the province’s website.
