Elmhurst residents encouraged to social distance this Halloween

In light of the pandemic, Saturday’s Halloween festivities for Elmhurst residents will be modified to ensure the safety of everyone in the community. This includes social distanced trick-or-treating for everyone involved in the activity. Residents have the option to hang a red “No trick-or-treaters, please” signs or a green “Trick-or-treaters Welcome” sign, depending on their preference. The signs were provided by the City of Elmhurst. 

“Please act kindly and courteously to keep your neighbors safe and respect their choices as we maneuver through the challenges of this pandemic,” the City of Elmhurst said, on the official website. 

Some Elmhurst homes are finding creative methods of distributing candy to trick-or-treaters while remaining socially distanced, such as sending candy down a pipe to the costumed kids. All trick-or-treaters are required to wear a mask.

“For the safety of all participants, those going door-to-door are required to wear face coverings at all times,” the City of Elmhurst said, on the official website. “The CDC has stated that a Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose. Please maintain a safe distance from other trick-or-treaters and wait to approach a home until the previous group has left.”

For other Halloween plans, the DuPage Medical Center recommends remaining with your immediate family or inviting close friends over for a small outdoor gathering. Low risk activities include carving pumpkins and watching scary movies with loved ones or having a virtual costume competition. Moderate risk activities include small outdoor gatherings, attending outdoor public corn mazes or pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating with individual spread out candy. 

“This year, we’ll have to approach the hol­i­day dif­fer­ent­ly and be extra mind­ful of wash­ing our hands, wear­ing masks and social dis­tanc­ing,” the DuPage Medical Center said. “How­ev­er, you and your fam­i­ly can still find cre­ative ways to cel­e­brate Hal­loween while at home.”

Regardless of your Halloween plans, social distancing is encouraged by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the York administration in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our county and country. Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing this holiday weekend is an important step to reopening the district and ensuring the safety of the community. 

“No one is saying you cannot go and talk to your friends,” Principal Shahe Bagdasarian said. “Those things can be done in a way that is safe. Obviously, the city is allowing trick-or-treating. So if we are smart about it, we are safe and we maintain social distancing, it should not be a huge deal. As long as we are not gathering in groups and clumping together. It is not about not doing something. It is about doing something by following the guidance of the IDPH and the CDC.”