Wondering what Halloween is going to look like in the age of COVID-19? Well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just released its official 2020 guidelines for Halloween. Sadly, traditional Halloween activities, such as going door-to-door trick-or-treating, isn’t going to be very encouraged this year.

The CDC recommends that you avoid these activities that they deem high-risk:

• Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
• Trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
• Crowded costume parties held indoors
• Indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
• Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

It can feel a bit discouraging reading this, but luckily, they’ve also provided a list of low-risk activities that you could do instead of the above. These don’t sound half bad!

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

You can read more about the CDC’s guidelines here, including moderate risk activities for Halloween.

What are your plans for Halloween 2020? Will you still be dressing up, even if it’s to stay at home? What will you be?