Published October 14, 2020
LYNNFIELD — It’s alive.
Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis announced this week that townspeople will be able to celebrate Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31 as well as throughout the spookiest time of year. Davis’ Oct. 10 announcement occurred after the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center dropped Lynnfield from “red” to “yellow” on Wednesday, Oct. 7 due to a decline in novel coronavirus cases.
“Lynnfield supports safe trick-or-treating,” said Davis. “Residents are advised to take precautions from the Department of Public Health.”
Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that it was up to local officials to decide whether Halloween is celebrated in their respective communities this year.
“We do want (to give) local communities in this particular case, given how different many of our communities are across the commonwealth, the opportunity to make their own call with respect to how they want to see Halloween operate,” Baker said while visiting Salem, which canceled its month-long Halloween celebration this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Davis said townspeople should “enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events” such as Halloween parties. If residents decide to give out candy to trick-or-treaters, Davis said people should “place candy on a platter instead of a bowl.”
“Instead of traditional trick-or-treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a grab-and-go while keeping distance from others,” said Davis.
Davis said both children and adults should wear a mask while trick-or-treating.
“A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering,” said Davis. “To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.”
Davis also encouraged residents to “observe good hand hygiene, including handwashing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol.”
“Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy,” said Davis.
Davis also encouraged people not to touch their face while going trick-or-treating and to practice social distancing.
“Those who do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating are asked to shut off their outdoor lights as an indicator,” said Davis.
Davis said townspeople should avoid going to costume parties that are being held indoors as well as indoor and outdoor gatherings that exceed the state’s guidelines. Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people and outdoor gatherings are capped at 50 people.
The fire chief also urged people to avoid “going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.” He also said people should avoid “going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.”
Townspeople should not use alcohol and drugs because Davis said they “cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors.”
“If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters,” said Davis.
Davis noted that the CDC has recommended “several low-risk alternative activities that community members can take part in for Halloween.” He said one of the activities includes carving and decorating pumpkins with family or household members, and displaying them at a safe distance.
Townspeople can also decorate their home or apartment with Halloween-themed decorations. Davis said residents can hold 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.”
Davis said another safe alternative to a traditional Halloween celebration is holding a “virtual Halloween costume contest.” He also said residents can celebrate with a “Halloween movie night with people you live with.”
“You can also have a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house,” said Davis.
— The State House News Service contributed to this report.
