IDPH Releases Halloween Guidance
We reported previously about the CDC's guidance on fall holidays, including Halloween. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has now released its own guidelines for fall activities, which supplement the recently-updated DCEO guidance on other seasonal staples, such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and haunted houses.
Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating is allowed, provided that groups are limited to household members, social distancing is maintained from other trick-or-treaters and people passing out candy, and that face coverings are worn in addition to any costume masks. The IDPH advises sticking to outdoor areas rather than multi-family buildings, frequent use of hand-sanitizer, and handwashing prior to consuming any candy. The IDPH also suggests some safer alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating. Instead of passing out candy at the door, the IDPH recommends putting out individually wrapped treats on a table more than six feet from the front door so that trick-or-treaters may help themselves. This method is also recommended in other settings, such larger-scale organized events involving tables set up with carefully-spaced candy in parking lots to avoid door-to-door travel.
Haunted Houses
Haunted houses are not allowed. The IDPH encourages open-air, one-way haunted forests or haunted walks where social distancing of 6 feet or greater and appropriate masking is enforced as an alternatives. Really scary haunted walks require increased social distancing due to the potential for screaming.
Pumpkin Patches/Apple Orchards
Attendance at outdoor pumpkin patches and apple orchards is limited to 25% capacity, with advance-purchase tickets advised. Indoor areas or rides of the sort that are sometimes featured at such locations must remain closed. Face coverings and social distancing are mandatory.
Hayrides
Hayrides are permitted up to 50% capacity with social distancing and face coverings required. The DCEO and IDPH both advise limiting hayride participants to members of the same household.
Adult Halloween Parties
The IDPH warns against large-scale parties and reiterates the 50-person limit for gatherings. While peole can visit bars (subject to regional or local restrictions), the IDPH provides a list of reasons why partaking in indoor costume parties is a bad idea and suggests avoiding such events, or minimizing the amount of time spent, together with the usual reminders to adhere to social distancing and face covering requirements.
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