City to allow trick-or-treating Oct. 30 with adherence to COVID-19 precautions

posted on: 10/1/2020; updated: 10/2/2020

Dover’s Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Paul Haas announced that children and families can participate in Halloween trick-or-treating in the City of Dover from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, if they follow COVID-19 coronavirus safety protocols.

Haas made the decision after consulting guidance issued by the State of New Hampshire, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the New Hampshire Municipal Association.

“There is a level of risk involved, and only those who want to participate should,” Haas said. “While CDC classifies trick-or-treating as a moderate-risk activity, our community’s consistency in mask wearing habits and social distancing practices has helped us maintain a low level of COVID-19 community spread, and I believe we can let the kids enjoy this fall tradition safely with key guidelines in place.”

In regards to potential spread from surface contamination from candy wrappers, Haas states, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes, but the CDC does not consider surface contamination to be the main way the virus spreads. People should decide to participate in Halloween activities based on their own level of comfort, and everyone is advised to frequently wash their hands regardless of the activities they choose.”

The following guidelines are in effect for Dover trick-or-treating:

• Travel in family groups only.
• Do not travel to other communities or invite friends or family from other communities.
• Maintain at least a six-foot distance between groups.
• Wear face coverings (standard Halloween masks typically have a mouth hole).
• No direct trick-or-treating candy exchange (physical distance must be maintained; see some alternatives for handing out candy below).
• Do not trick or treat at homes that do not have a porch light on.
• Practice frequent hand cleaning.

Those who wish to hand out treats should set up physically distanced candy distribution methods outside. These distribution points should be cleaned regularly throughout the two hours of trick or treat.

Potential ideas for distributing candy include:

• Using a table and bowl on a porch that can be refilled between visitors.
• Setting up a driveway distribution point, such as a table, that allows households to participate but from a minimum of a six-foot distance.

Family groups should always use flashlights, walk on sidewalks where available, travel in familiar, well-lit areas, and only go to homes that have outdoor lights on.

Motorists need to exercise extra caution on trick or treat night:

• Drive slowly and stay alert.
• Watch for children walking across the street or at intersections.
• Enter and exit driveways slowly, keep eyes out for children.
• After dark, keep eyes out for trick-or-treaters in dark clothing.
• New or inexperienced drivers should avoid driving after dark.

Citywide trick or treat in Dover is traditionally held on Oct. 30, the evening before Halloween.

For more information, contact Dover Fire and Rescue at 516-6148.