In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating holidays will certainly be a bit different than in previous years. Kids and adults alike will be forced to implement new safety precautions, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, into their Halloween celebrations. 

As New Jersey is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases, residents need to ensure that the upcoming holiday is celebrated with the utmost caution. While Governor Murphy has not spoken out about banning things such as trick-or-treating and has announced on Twitter “Halloween is on,” participation will increase your likelihood of contracting the virus. 

Children and teenagers across the country are dismayed over the fact that they may not have the chance to celebrate Halloween. Cresskill High School sophomore Sydney Zaikov expressed her feelings regarding the situation.

“Halloween is one of my favorite holidays,” she said, a fact that is true for many students. “I’m sad I won’t be able to hand out candy to little kids like I usually do.”

Don’t worry, though–Halloween is not completely canceled. Throughout the tri-state area, COVID-safe events are taking place to ensure the Halloween spirit is still alive. One example being Six Flags in Ocean County; they recently launched Hallowfest with new health guidelines curated to limit the spread of coronavirus. These guidelines include mandatory mask-wearing, sanitation, and temperature checks for all visitors. Guests will be able to enjoy the various activities they provide such as mazes and haunted houses without having to worry about putting their health and safety at risk.

This is merely one of many ways to safely participate in Halloween this year. There are various steps one can take to do so, while also doing their part in restricting the spread of COVID-19. Before participating in any holiday events this year, make sure to follow CDC guidelines. Try to avoid large gatherings or hold them outdoors if possible. Limit the number of people attending, and ensure that none of them have been exposed to the virus. This way we can ensure that we are part of the solution rather than the problem. Nonetheless, make sure to have a happy Halloween and stay safe!