Is Halloween Canceled For 2020? L.A. County Bans Trick or Treating

Los Angeles County has released guidelines to residents ahead of the annual Halloween which could prove more tricky than a treat.

The county's Department of Public Health released a document, created on September 5, in a bid to help families celebrate the day in a safe way during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated does not allow you to minimize contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identity safer alternatives," the document says.

The department has advised that households consider different activities this Halloween, such as:

• Online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving)
• Car parades that comply with public health guidance for vehicle-based parades including drive-by events or contests that allow for physical social distancing.
• Residents can also join in with other "drive-through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays" and "Drive-in events where individuals can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle."
• Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters.
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants.
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum.
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.

The county health department says that door-to-door trick or treating is not allowed, as well as trunk or treating and parties with non-household members.

"Door to door trick or treating is not allowed because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors especially in neighborhoods that are popular with trick or treaters," says the document. Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are also not allowed.

Personal protection measures have also been released by the department of health, which include:

• Wear a cloth face covering when outside your home and around others that are not part of your household.
• Avoid confined spaces and actively stay away from indoor spaces that don't allow for easy distancing of at least 6 feet between you and others
• Avoid close contact—Stay at least 6 feet away from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating, drinking, and singing.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
• If someone is sick or has been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 stay home and away from others.

The U.S. has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world, currently standing at 6,330,316 as well as the highest number of deaths, 189,733. The latest statistics show that 2,359,111 people have recovered from the novel virus.

Los Angeles has suffered 6,036 deaths due to the coronavirus, with 249,241 confirmed cases reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. California has the highest number of confirmed cases in the U.S., as shown in the below graphic provided by Statista.