Ontario health officials are recommending that children do not trick-or-treat door-to-door this Halloween for the regions currently in the modified Stage 2 as the coronavirus second wave remains in full swing.
As of Monday, Toronto, Ottawa, Peel and York regions are all in a modified Stage 2 due to high volumes of COVID-19 cases.
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Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, made the recommendation on Monday while also providing safer alternatives families can choose to do instead.
Families are urged to have their children participate in virtual Halloween parties, a candy hunt in their own households, carve pumpkins, have a movie night and/or decorate their front lawns.
Williams also said families should check with their local public health units to see their recommendations.
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Stricter measures in effect in York Region amid rising coronavirus case numbers
For those living outside of the modified regions, those going trick-or-treating are asked to:
- Only go out with people living in their homes and stay outside.
- Trick-or-treaters should wear face coverings, and those handing out candy should also wear face masks. (Costume masks do not count and should also not be worn over a face mask because that could make breathing difficult)
- maintain physical distancing
- do not congregate or linger in doorways
- wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer
- hand out candy with tongs or something similar — do not leave bowls of candy out.
As of Monday, Ontario reported 704 new coronavirus cases, bringing the provincial total to 65,075.