DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As summer fades to fall, the coronavirus pandemic threatens to upend another seasonal tradition.
Some area haunted houses are preparing to open in the weeks ahead.
However, a local health department is advising people to look at alternative plans for Halloween.
Green Bay mother Kimberly Watermolen hopes trick-or-treating will go on as normal. She tells FOX 11 her kids have been through enough already.
“Without going to school and everything else, half of them have masks on for costumes anyway. If they want to go they’re going.”
But De Pere Public Health officer Debbie Ambruster tells FOX 11 she’s doesn’t recommend a regular Halloween.
“Going door to door is not advised. It will be difficult to do social distancing . There will be a lot of children around, items that they’re getting from all the households… should they have any kind of virus particles on them that would be something to be concerned about.”
Ambruster says people can celebrate Halloween using alternative methods, like trick-or-treating from the car.
“Maybe schools or churches being able to hand out, stay within the car, the families, but could hand them a treat bag or something like that.”
Ambruster also recommends watching Halloween movies, decorating the house or yard, and partaking in online parties or contests.
Trick-or-treating isn’t the only thing the department is advising against.
Ambruster says that any large gathering isn’t recommended, including haunted houses.
“It’s just not a good idea. Close contact, being in confined spaces.”
Youth Go Executive Director Kelly Hicks says The Hallows haunted house in Neenah will open in October with additional restrictions.
“It was really important to us to be able to offer our kids something. So much has been taken away from them this year, connection, just the opportunity to do something that means so much to them.”
Hicks says the haunted trail walk will be the only attraction, because it’s outdoors.
“All of our actors, we call them ‘scaracters’ In our haunted house are young people, are kids between 5th and 12th grade and it’s our job to keep them safe so because of that reason we didn’t think it would be a responsible decision for our organization to offer our events that take in place indoors.”
Most cities and villages have not made decisions on what trick-or-treating will look like this year.
The De Pere Health Department says it will look for more guidance from the state, and other communities before making a final call.
Comments