2020 Halloween Guidelines announced, including Residents only - due to pandemic

10/16/2020

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the public that, after much deliberation, guidelines have been set to ensure a safe Halloween for the community.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s event must be for RESIDENTS ONLY. Please use the ABC’s of trick-or-treating:

•AIRWAY – protect yourself and others by wearing a proper face mask
•
BUBBLE – stay within your household bubble
CONTACTS – do not mix bubbles

Hours of trick-or-treating will be from 3pm to 7pm. Do not go out if you or anyone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms. Do not accept trick-or-treaters at your door if you or anyone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms, have active COVID-19, or are awaiting a test result. Maintain physical distancing of at least two (2) meters apart with anyone not in your household. Only visit family and friends that you know and are expecting your visit. DO NOT ENTER any houses!

For those distributing treats:

• Wash your hands when preparing goodie bags
• Wear a face mask when answering the door; and place hand sanitizer by the door and sanitize between each guest 
•
Use various tools to actually hand out the treats, such as a lacrosse stick, pool skimmer net, a grabber tool (such as a claw), or a slide of some sort to send treats down the porch or driveway (depending on how you plan to distribute your treats)
• Large packaged items such as chocolates bars, juice boxes or chips are preferred. At no time should treats be distributed out of a large bowl

Please ensure children bring hand sanitizer with them and use when necessary. When the trick-or-treaters return home, they should immediately wash their hands, remove their costumes, then wash their hands again before sorting their treats.

“Everything that is being done is to ensure the safety of the entire community,” said the Task Force’s Arnold Lazare. “We completely understand that an event such as Halloween is important to many community members as a means of providing a ‘happy event’ for the kids during a very difficult time. We feel that the guidelines are both reasonable and attainable. Parents are being asked to ensure their children are prepared to trick-or-treat in the safest manner possible.”  

“We think it’s important to note that many of these guidelines came from suggestions brought forth by community members,” he added.

Finally, please respect the fact that some people don’t wish to participate – not everyone is comfortable to have people coming to their homes at this time.