What to Know
- New York City children will be able to go trick-or-treating this Halloween, but it won't resemble the spooktacular event of years past.
- Due to the ongoing pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled guidelines for not only trick-or-treaters, but those giving candy. And if you're thinking about hosting an indoor party? Forget about it!
- "These are the smart rules that will keep our kids safe. That will keep our families safe…let's have a great Halloween, let’s make it safe though," de Blasio said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio took to the radio airwaves on Friday to reiterate that although Halloween is still going to take place in the city and children will be able to go trick-or-treating, it will not resemble the spooktacular event of years past due to the ongoing pandemic.
On Oct. 21, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled this year's Halloween guidelines that focused on not only trick-or-treaters, but those giving out candy. And if you're thinking about hosting an indoor party? Forget about it!
De Blasio stressed the same guidelines Halloween Eve on the Brian Lehrer radio show on WNYC, warning against indoor Halloween activities.
"There is a definitely great way to celebrate Halloween, and that's to stay outdoors, stay in small groups socially distant, wear a mask" de Blasio said. "You can go trick-or-treating outdoors, but small groups, smart precautions. No indoor gatherings. That is just too dangerous."
The guidelines, the city has said from the start, is to keep New Yorkers healthy and safe.
"It is one of the most joyous nights of the year, and this year it’s going to be different, but it’s going to happen. I want to make very clear, Halloween is happening in New York City and Halloween will be safe in New York City," de Blasio previously said. "We want to do it differently as with everything we’ve done this year. We understand it’s not business as usual but it can go on and it can be fun and it can be exciting for our youngest New Yorkers."
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First and foremost, the mayor said, is that trick-or-treating and other activities should be done outdoors. So, if you live in an apartment building, trick-or-treating inside is not a great idea.
"First of all, most important thing we have learned throughout this whole crisis, outdoors is better than indoors," he said. "Trick-or-treating should all be outdoors. Only outdoors. No trick-or-treating inside apartment buildings, for example. Do everything outdoors."
De Blasio went on to say that wearing a costume mask is not an excuse to not don an actual mask that New York has been mandated to wear this pandemic.
"The mask you have on a costume is not the same as the kind of mask we use to protect ourselves and each other. So, for a child wearing a costume, put the mask on top of the costume to protect them and protect everyone," he said.
On Friday, de Blasio elaborated that the city's health experts have advised that the masks that have become a common sight throughout the pandemic should be worn over a Halloween mask because "the doctors are suggesting that over is better protection" as opposed to wearing them underneath a Halloween mask due to there could be breathing concerns.
But, what about indoor parties? The city says, 'no.'
"No indoor gatherings, no indoor parties," de Blasio previously said.
De Blasio also said last week that those celebrating Halloween should "do things in small groups. Again, basic rules we’ve learned. Small groups are better than bigger groups to maintain social distancing."
Rules were also shared for those who want to indulge the sweet tooth of trick-or-treaters.
"When folks are laying out the treats in the bowls for kids, stand back give, them some space. And its much better that any candy, of course, be in a bowl -- not handed individually," de Blasio said.
"These are the smart rules that will keep our kids safe. That will keep our families safe…let's have a great Halloween, let’s make it safe though."
For more information and Halloween tips, visit nyc.gov/health/halloween .
De Blasio also took the opportunity Friday to share guidelines that New Yorkers should follow for the upcoming Thanksgiving and winter holidays, including avoiding travel citing that "pretty much everywhere else in the country is doing worse than us when it comes to the coronavirus so, by definition, if you go to one of those areas you're running the risk of contracting the disease and bringing it back with you and spreading it here," saying that this year is not the year to travel.
"I strongly believe New Yorkers should stay here in the city for the holidays," he said. " Keep it simple. It is just for this year, there is going to be a vaccine next year."
