LA County bans door-to-door trick-or-treating

Los Angeles County is banning door-to-door trick-or-treating this Halloween in order to maintain proper social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, its health department announced. 

The department in its Halloween guidance this week also announced a ban on gatherings or parties with non-household members and haunted house attractions, carnivals, festivals and live entertainment. “Trunk-or-treating,” which involves kids going from car to car in a parking lot instead of door to door, is also not allowed.

The health department instead suggested celebrating Halloween this year through online parties, car parades, movie nights at drive-in theaters, themed meals at outdoor restaurants, themed art installations at outdoor museums and decorating homes and yards.

Before a patchwork of local rules emerges, a bipartisan group of 30 members of Congress urged Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield in August to provide Halloween safety guidance. 

They asked for a CDC public comment on the advisability of community activities such as video costume parties, leaving packages of candy for friends and neighbors and setting up drive-through trick-or-treat venues where children can dress up and wear masks. 

The National Confectioners Association (NCA), which represents the candy industry, said on Wednesday that it appreciates the guidance from Los Angeles County on how to celebrate Halloween safely.

“Across the country, this Halloween will look a little different for many people. Whether this means socially distanced trick-or-treating, more candy bowl moments at home with family and close friends, or just more time celebrating the season throughout the month of October, one thing is for sure — Halloween is happening,” the NCA said in a statement.