Halloween 2020 Halted – Trick or Treating will be Forbidden in Los Angeles County

Another Holiday Canceled due to Covid

On September 5, 2020, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the majority of Halloween activities will be restricted because of COVID-19.  Many children, young and old, look forward to traditional celebrations of the holiday by going door to door to “trick or treat” for candy, however this year the pandemic has effectively canceled the holiday.  The ban comes as preventative measures as maintaining social distance, minimizing contact with non-household members and avoiding confined spaces like doorways would be difficult to follow.

Read More: West Coast in Excessive “Record-Setting” Holiday Heat – Rest of Nation not spared

Throughout Los Angeles County, other annual Halloween events and attractions have already announced cancellation like that of Universal Studios and its very popular Halloween Horror Nights. 

According to the Post “L.A. County is still among the California counties with high rates of community transmission,” Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Before we get into cooler weather and flu season, we need to significantly lower the number of new cases. This is the only path forward that allows us to get more students back to school and reopen more business sectors.”

What LA Country Residents Can and Cannot Do

According to the Health Guidance Release, the following Halloween related activities  are “not permitted” due to risk of spreading coronavirus:

• Door to door trick or treating is not allowed because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors especially in neighborhoods that are popular with trick or treaters. 
• “Trunk or treating” events where children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats are also not allowed. 
• Gatherings or Parties with non-household members are not permitted even if they are conducted outdoors. 
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are not allowed.

The Department provided some safer (non-traditional) alternatives of what is “permitted” for the Halloween season – and it appears fairly grim:  

• Online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving) 
• Car parades that comply with public health guidance
• Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum 
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations. 

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