City Of San Antonio: “Don't Be Scared. Be Prepared” To Have A Fun And Safe Halloween

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

October 20, 2021

CONTACT: covid19media@sanantonio.gov
Rudy Arispe: (210) 207-8172

SAN ANTONIO (October 20, 2021) – On Sunday, October 31st, witches will fly on their broomsticks, vampires will flash their fangs, and ghosts and goblins will lurk in the dark to give you a scare. But that’s nothing to be frightened about. There are more serious things to be aware of, such as COVID-19.

However, for anyone who isn’t sure if it’s safe to celebrate Halloween this year, Metro Health has a message for the community: “Don’t Be Scared. Be Prepared” to have a fun and safe Halloween.

“We know how much kids look forward to wearing fun and spooky costumes and going trick-or-treating on Halloween, and we also know that parents have questions whether it’s safe to do so this year because of COVID-19,” said Metro Health Director Claude A. Jacob. “We want to offer some important trick-or-treating tips so that everyone, especially children, have a safe and Happy Halloween.”

“We ask that everyone take the necessary steps like wearing masks, regardless of vaccination status, when you are around young children, especially at Halloween parties held indoors, to avoid the risk of kids possibly getting sick from COVID,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

“The best thing you can do to keep your family and friends safe from COVID is to get vaccinated today,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. “Also, encourage your friends and family members to do the same, so that everyone can enjoy the holidays with the peace of mind knowing they are protected from COVID.”

Metro Health recommends the following:

Safe Trick-or-Treating Tips for Kids and Parents

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Traditional Halloween masks do not provide adequate protection against COVID-19. Use a cloth or surgical mask with your costume.
• Bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently.
• Limit the size of your group to those within your household.
• Avoid going inside other people’s homes.
• Only enjoy pre-packaged treats.
• Wash your hands when you return home if you go trick-or-treating.

Alternative Activities to Celebrate Safely

• Carve or decorate pumpkins outside with neighbors or friends.
• Have a “Halloween treat” hunt in your backyard with your kids.
• Celebrate with a piñata in your backyard for your children.
• Have a movie night with your immediate family, if inviting others, consider an outdoor gathering.
• For individuals who are mindful of consuming too much sugar on Halloween, use healthy food alternatives at home like pre-packaged fruits and vegetables.

Safe Ways to Hand Out Treats

• Don’t hand out treats if you or someone in your household is sick.
• Everyone should wash their hands before passing out treats.
• Instead of handing out treats from a bowl, set up a table with individually wrapped bags of treats for kids to take.
• Disinfect the table periodically.
• When preparing treat bags, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after.

Safe Adult Halloween Activities

• Don’t go out if you are feeling sick – even if you think it’s just allergies.
• Limit gatherings with people outside of your household. It’s best to play it safe.
• If you plan to host or go to a Halloween party, plan an outdoor gathering instead of indoors.
• If you’re at a party, gathering in small groups is safer.
• Avoid crowded indoor parties and skip haunted houses where you will be close to people outside your household.
• If you are at a celebration with people outside your household, wear a mask.
• Do not drink and drive.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

For those who still need to get vaccinated, you can find a list of pop-up clinics at www.covid19.sanantonio.gov or call 311 and select option 8. Vaccinations are also available at the Alamodome drive-thru clinic in Lot B from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays. No appointment needed.

Metro Health continues to offer a $100 H-E-B gift card for those who have yet to be fully vaccinated. The incentive is available at Metro Health pop-up clinics only and at the Alamodome while supplies last.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.