Social distancing suggestions from CDC provided
Bourbonnais, IL – Following weeks of review and awaiting public health guidance, Mayor Paul Schore and Village of Bourbonnais officials announce trick-or-treating will take place in Bourbonnais but may look a little different this year. Confirmed hours are 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020 in the village. Unlike pre-pandemic Halloweens, village officials are providing social distancing suggestions and best practices from the Halloween and Costume Association in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Our community’s ongoing patience and continued mitigation efforts during COVID-19 has been remarkable,” explained Mayor Schore. “It is important to remember that Halloween and trick-or-treating is not a village event. We believe our residents will make the safest choice that is best suited for their families on Halloween. Participation is an individual choice, and parents have the right to choose.”
In order to make Halloween safe and yet keep it fun, the village moved up its previous 5 to 7 p.m. trick-or-treating hours and is suggesting the following best practices for trick-or-treaters, homeowners and parents:
Trick-or-Treaters
- Stay home if sick
- Trick-or-treat with people you live with
- Remain 6 feet apart from people not in your household
- Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose
- Use hand sanitizer frequently while out
- Wash your hands as soon as you return home
Homeowners
- Do not hand out candy if you are sick
- Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose
- Position a distribution table between yourself and trick-or-treaters
- Distribute a treat bag or baggie, if possible, with commercially-packaged non-perishable treats – not homemade items - on a disinfected table to help eliminate direct contact
- Refrain from distributing treats out of a large container, such as a bowl, with all trick-or-treaters placing their hands inside
- When possible, mark 6-foot lines in front of your home and leading to your driveway and/or front door (a driveway offers more space than a traditional walkway) using duct tape or chalk
- Wash hands often
Parents
- Stay home if sick
- Talk with your children about safety and social distancing guidelines and expectations
- Guide children to stay on the right side of the road always to ensure distance
- Carry a flashlight at night and ensure your children are wearing reflective clothing
- Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose
- Wash your hands as soon as you return home
- Inspect candy
For those who would prefer to opt-out of trick-or-treating this year, alternative Halloween activities can include: pumpkin carving, apple picking, baking treats, Halloween decorating, Halloween crafts, themed movies, games and a family night in.
“We know this Halloween will be unlike any other, “added Mayor Schore,” but want to safely provide an opportunity for our community children to experience some normalcy while continuing to follow CDC guidelines. A full moon, a blue moon, daylight savings time ends and it falls on a Saturday…this won’t happen again for at least another 150 years - and a pandemic, hopefully never.”
To view upcoming Village of Bourbonnais events, click here.
