ALTUS – As the holiday season approaches, the City of Altus wants its residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of that, it announced new safety measures for the celebration of Halloween (Oct. 31).
“Questions have been posed to the City of Altus regarding potential restrictions in place for Halloween festivities while our community continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is releasing this guidance in response to these inquiries and in order to serve the public health,” read a statement from the City of Altus. “Altus recommends adhering to Halloween guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.”
Unlike some cities in the state, Altus has not canceled the practicing of views in-person trick-or-treating. But it will be limited from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Halloween night.
“Please do not trick-or-treat or hand out candy if you or anyone you have had close contact to feels sick or is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19,” Altus officials said in a release.
While trick-or-treating will still be allowed, the City of Altus considers it a high-risk activity when it comes to spreading COVID-19. Because of that, officials have followed the lead of the CDC and are offering residents other options to take part in on Halloween night. They believe these recommendations keep children safer during their celebrations.
Most of the suggestions involved residents staying at or near their home on Halloween night. The alternatives, which are in accordance with the CDC, include carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household, decorating homes, a virtual Halloween costume contest and a Halloween movie night.
For those who plan to venture out and attend costume parties and collect candy during trick-or-treating, the City of Altus and the CDC is advising caution and recommend that everyone to wear facial coverings and maintaining strict social distancing.
“A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face,” according to the CDC. “Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.”
The CDC also recommends avoiding having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots, attending crowded costume parties held indoors and going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
The City of Altus has also created signage that residents can use to inform others that they will not be participating in the trick-or-treating this year. The signs can be printed at home or picked up at the Altus City Hall.