Halloween Coronavirus Guidance Issued By Pritzker Administration

CHICAGO — Haunted houses are out and haunted forests are in this year, according to new guidance from state public health officials for celebrating Halloween amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidelines recommend alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating for kids and caution against risky behavior at indoor costume parties for adults.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced the new guidelines at a remote news conference Wednesday afternoon. The governor said Tuesday that he and some of his staff plan to self-quarantine for two weeks after another staffer tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. He said he tested negative for the virus Monday but will remain quarantined as a precaution.

Pritzker said outdoor fall festivals — including hayrides, pumpkin patches and orchard visits — will be permitted this season. But haunted houses are forbidden by his administration, he said, regardless of the precautions they put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We certainly have made clear that the outdoor activities can be allowed," Pritzker said. "The problem is with indoor haunted houses, which tend to be very enclosed — not a lot of open space — and as a result the viral load can get high very quickly in a space like that. So that's I think why the doctors chose to act as they did with regard to haunted houses."

The guidelines suggest considering instead one-way, open-air haunted walks or haunted forests where face covering rules are enforced and social distancing of 6 feet or more is maintained.

"If screaming is anticipated," the guidelines note, "even greater social distancing is advised to lower the risk of spreading respiratory viruses."

Ezike encouraged parents to come up with alternative Halloween celebrations to minimize the chance of transmitting the coronavirus.

"Challenge yourself and your kids on how you can celebrate these holidays as safely as possible," Ezike said.

"Trick-or-treating could now involve just setting out individually wrapped pieces of candy spaced out on a table where kids in costumes, socially distanced, could still pass by and retrieve them," she suggested.

According to the IDPH Halloween guidelines, trick-or-treating in enclosed areas such as apartment buildings increases the risk of coronavirus transmission. Traditional "trunk-or-treat" events are discouraged, but public health officials suggested setting up socially distanced outdoor parades with packaged treat bags.

Hayrides are allowed at 50 percent capacity, with public health officials recommending parties spaced at least 6 feet apart or limited to the same household. The move is a reversal of earlier Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity rules.

Indoor Halloween or Dia de los Muertos parties — especially with groups of people who routinely disregard COVID-19 prevention measures or those who travel to areas with high rates of community spread — are discouraged.

Ezike also warned people of all ages that not all face masks are created equal.

"For anyone wearing a costume, whether a child or an adult, a costume mask is not a substitute for face covering," the IDPH director said. "If face coverings are worn under the costume mask, please ensure that this does not create any breathing problems."

Read full IDPH Halloween Guidance »