Halloween Isn’t Canceled But Going Door-To-Door Is ‘High Risk’ During A Pandemic

From OgilvyHealth on Instagram

It’s a question that has been posed several times on local social media: is Halloween canceled?

The answer takes a minute to digest.

There are no governor executive orders or local government edicts canceling Halloween this year.

But, the state health department, the Valley health district and local leaders are all pointing to information from the CDC saying traditional Halloween activities such as going door-to-door with the kids or indoor parties are high risk” in terms of spreading COVID-19.

So the official guidelines recommend NOT going door-to-door or throwing parties.

This week The Valley Indy reached out to the top elected leaders in three towns — Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour — to get their thoughts or policies on Halloween this year.

NOTE: This article was written and published before the state declared the City of Ansonia a COVID-19 hot spot” Thursday, and before the state announced the daily positivity rate had spiked to 6.1 percent. Click here for more info.

ANSONIA

In Ansonia, Sheila O’Malley, the city’s economic development director and grant writer, answered on behalf of Mayor David Cassetti.

O’Malley said the city has been hosting safe family events during the pandemic, such as the successful drive-in movies screenings at Pulaski Park (“Hocus Pocus” is screening Halloween night). CANCELED

To that end, the city and its cultural committee are hosting Nightmare Alley,” which is a drive-through Halloween experience.” UPDATE: THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED AS OF OCT. 30 DUE TO ANSONIAS COVID-19 TRANSMISSION RATE

It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 30). It’s family-friendly and there will be treats for the kids while supplies last, according to the event’s flyer, which is posted below. Keep reading after the flyer (and monitor the city’s official Facebook page for any changes to the event).

NOTE NOTE NOTE THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED ON OCT 30. CANCELED CANCELED CANCELED



The events are meant as an alternative to traditional Halloween activities, O’Malley wrote in an email.

We want to err on the side of caution. While we are not formally canceling Halloween (we want the decision to be made by parents), we advise exercising extreme caution,” O’Malley said. If you feel your child must go out, wear a (COVID-19 intended) mask, stay six feet apart, and avoid groups.”

Ansonia families have been using community Facebook groups to list addresses in the city where residents plan to give out candy on Halloween.

DERBY

Mayor Rich Dziekan has recovered from his recent bout with COVID-19. He did not return a message from The Valley Indy about Halloween, but he did speak to The Connecticut Post about the subject in an article published Oct. 16.

The Post reported Mayor Dziekan urged parents not to take kids door-to-door this year because of the pandemic.

From the article:

I can tell you from my own experience that this virus is no joke … It is very contagious and the last thing I want to see is a widespread outbreak. We just need to ride it out.”

Dziekan, echoing the guidelines from health experts on the federal, state, and local levels, also urged people to avoid large gatherings.

In a message, Andrew Baklik, Dziekan’s chief of staff, confirmed the Post’s reporting as still valid.

We are just following the general guidelines,” Baklik said.

SEYMOUR

In Seymour, all town-sponsored Halloween events have been canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, new First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said in an email.

Private citizens in Seymour, like their counterparts in Ansonia, are using community groups on Facebook to list houses where candy will be distributed.

If residents choose to give out candy or bring their children out trick or treating or to any other festivities, we recommend that they do so with an abundance of caution and in accordance with CDC and local health department guidance,” Selectwoman Drugonis said. Mask up, stay socially distant, and be safe. Happy Halloween and safe trick or treating.”

Earlier this month the state issued Halloween guidelines. Those guidelines, which have been shared with town and city halls across the state, are embedded below.

Connecticut Halloween Guida… by The Valley Indy

The next document is from the CDC. It contains alternative ways to celebrate Halloween on Saturday. This document has been shared frequently by the Naugatuck Valley Health District:

Safe Ways To Celebrate Hall… by The Valley Indy

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