Halloween In Chelmsford: What To Know

CHELMSFORD,MA — This year amid the coronavirus pandemic and as the number of cases of coronavirus rise in town, Chelmsford's Health Department is asking that residents be careful this Halloween.

While the traditional Halloween costume parade and party put on by the Chelmsford Community Center in North Chelmsford along with the fire station has been canceled this year, Halloween itself has not been canceled.

Read more: Chelmsford Coronavirus Rates Above State Average

Still, Health officials are recommending that residents be extremely careful if they choose to do the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating this Halloween or other activities that risk transmission of the coronavirus.

Chelmsford officials have declared that trick-or-treating will only be allowed for two hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is meant to be outdoor event only.

Some local health departments are suggesting that people who choose to offer candy consider setting up a table and placing individually wrapped bags of treats so that multiple people do not have to reach into the same bowl or using tongs to hand out treats to children. For trunk-or-treating, create distance between cars by parking in every other space.

Halloween activities considered high-risk by the Centers for Disease Control:

• Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
• Trick-or-treating at houses where individuals are not wearing a face covering and where 6 feet of physical distance is not maintained between people.
• Trunk-or-treating where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
• Events that involve large gatherings, such as crowded costume parties held indoors and any events where at least 6 feet of distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming.

Activities that are considered low-risk by the CDC:

• 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 and having a virtual contest with neighbors
• 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

For those who are planning to participate in Halloween events, officials urge people to wash their hands before and during trick-or-treating or handing out candy.

The CDC is reminding trick-or-treaters to wear face coverings that fit right and protect against inhaling respiratory droplets from other people, and recommend a cloth mask that doesn't leave gaps around your face.

What is your plan? Tell us in the comments.