LOS ANGELES鈥擣orget the princess outfit, the Batman suit, or the Donald Trump mask.
The coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on Halloween celebrations in the United States this year with health officials encouraging Americans to avoid heading out for a candy-fueled evening and to instead stay home and hold virtual parties.
鈥淢any traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses,鈥� the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement that advised against crowded indoor costume parties or sending kids trick-or-treating.
鈥淕oing to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming鈥� is also off-limits, the agency said.
Socially distanced parades
Instead, Americans are being encouraged to carve pumpkins at home or with friends and neighbors outdoors while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Virtual Halloween costume contests are also encouraged.
For those who can鈥檛 fathom ignoring one of the most popular US holidays of the year鈥攄uring which kids go door-to-door to receive treats鈥攖he CDC said 鈥渙ne-way trick-or-treating鈥� or socially distanced parades present a moderate risk.
It said goodie bags could be prepared in advance and placed, for example, at the end of a driveway for children to grab.
Balancing safety, fun
The CDC guidelines come as states across the country are grappling with how to balance health safety and fun during the annual celebration.
鈥淪ince some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated does not allow you to minimize contact with nonhousehold members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives,鈥� the Los Angeles County Health Department said.
The county initially banned trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities but quickly walked back on that decision to change the wording to 鈥渘ot recommended.鈥�