‘Halloween Is Happening In New York City,’ Mayor Says

NEW YORK CITY — Don’t throw away your Halloween mask this year, kids — but also keep your coronavirus face covering too.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the pandemic won’t stop children from celebrating the spookiest holiday next week.

“Halloween is happening in New York City and Halloween will be safe in New York City,” he said.

Trick-or-treating can be done safely so long as New Yorkers do it outside and not inside apartment buildings, de Blasio said. He also encouraged people giving out treats to leave them in a bowl rather pass them out by hand.

And while costumes come with masks, those aren’t effective protection against the coronavirus, he said. Children and other decked-out New Yorkers should still wear their COVID masks over their costume masks, he said.

Other tips include avoiding large gatherings, parties or haunted houses.

“So, real common-sense things,” de Blasio said. “These are the smart rules that will keep our kids safe, keep our families safe.”

People can find more Halloween safety tips at nyc.gov/health/Halloween.