PEORIA, Ill. — Halloween will definitely look different this year due to COVID-19.
Following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson said on Friday, the safest way to celebrate Halloween this year is at home.
Hendrickson suggested using various social media platforms to share this year’s Halloween costumes and decorations.
But, if you’re going to participate in trick-or-treating by giving out candy, Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion said there are safer alternatives to answering the door.
“You could put a table up in your driveway and spread candy apart and monitor the people as they come up,” Marion said.
Marion also suggested washing hands and using hand sanitizer before putting the candy out.
If you are planning on answering the door to trick-or-treaters, Marion suggests wearing a mask or face covering and maintaining six feet distance between yourself and the trick-or-treaters.
If you’re going door-to-door on Halloween, Marion said the IDPH and Peoria City/County Health Department suggest staying in small groups, preferably with just family members.
“Carry some alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you, that way if you happen to have contact with something, you can immediately apply the hand sanitizer,” Marion said.
Trick-or-treaters should wear protective masks or face coverings, not costume masks, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Marion said.
Trick-or-treating will be allowed in the City of Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m.
The Peoria Police Department has had to cancel its annual Halloween Open House due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19.
Safety guidelines from the CDC, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department can be found HERE.
