Halloween is 'on' in Hingham, with COVID-19 guidelines to follow

By Carol Britton Meyer

For those who have been wondering what Halloween will be like this year, or whether trick-or-treating will be discouraged in Hingham, here's the scoop.
Even though this Halloween will be very different from ones in the past,  your children may go trick-or-treating even during a pandemic "to the extent that individuals and families feel it is safe to participate in Halloween activities this year," in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines outlined in the  "COVID-19 Halloween Guidance" post on the Hingham town website. It's important for everyone to follow these guidelines to help ensure a safe and healthy Halloween for your and other families.

"The question [of whether to 'cancel' trick-or-treating]  has arisen in past years when Halloween weather forecasts were poor," Selectmen Chair Mary Power said recently.  "The Town of Hingham hasn't made decisions about Halloween in past years, and we are not inclined to do so this year.  We do encourage residents to follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines, particularly with respect to gatherings."

Visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=879 for Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommendations and for CDC guidance.

A few examples of CDC advice that really stand out are:

•   not to wear a Halloween mask in place of a cloth face covering unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that cover your mouth and nose and don't leave gaps around your face;
• not to wear a costume mask over a cloth face mask because doing so can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it difficult to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

Trick-or-treaters are also urged to avoid singing, chanting, or shouting, especially when not wearing a face mask and when they are within six feet of other children or adults.

Have a happy, safe Halloween!

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