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COVID-19 may have restricted events this summer, but kids will still get to don their favorite costume and hit up their neighbors for candy this Halloween.
Trick-or-treating will be held Oct. 31 throughout the area, with various starting times. In New Matamoras and McConnelsville, the times are 5:30 to 7 p.m.; in Barlow, Vincent, Belpre, Lowell, Newport and Williamstown, the times are 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and in Beverly and Marietta, the times are 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Sherry Ellem, creating healthy communities program manager with the Washington County Health Department, passed along suggested safety guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health.
¯ Always wear a face covering and stay 6 feet away from people who are not from your household.
¯ Carry hand sanitizer and use it often.
¯ If taking your children trick-or-treating, limit the number of houses you visit and ask your children to stay as far from treat-givers as possible.
"I think it's with everything else," Ellem said. "The more people we see … the more interaction … the more likely you are to be in contact with the virus."
¯ For small children, consider holding the bag for them.
¯ Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home.
"One thing we learned about COVID is there are things we still should be doing," she said. "Keeping things clean isn't a bad idea."
She said packaged candy should be cleaned, regardless of COVID, as this is still the start of flu season.
¯ Refrain from having children select their own treats from a bowl or common container.
¯ Consider lining up individually wrapped goodie bags outside with a sign asking children to take only one.
¯ If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing the bags.
Many businesses and organizations are also holding trunk or treat, where kids can get treats from many people at one location. Trunk or treat events start Saturday at the Belpre Bingo Hall and run through Halloween.
Ellem said trunk or treating is a great idea, as long as people keep moving.
"They need to stay away from close, consistent contact," she said. "With trunk or treat, where everybody is moving, your chances of getting sick are less."
She said when people start to congregate is when chances are greater of coming into contact with someone sick.
"We don't know who that super spreader is going to be," Ellem said. "It's safer outside, yes, but not 100 percent safe. We do what we need to do in a responsible manner."
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Trick-or-Treat:
All trick-or-treating listed will be held Oct. 31.
¯ New Matamoras – 5:30 to 7 p.m.
¯ McConnelsville – 5:30 to 7 p.m.
¯ Barlow and Vincent – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
¯ Belpre – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
¯ Lowell – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
¯ Newport – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
¯ Williamstown – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
¯ Beverly – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
¯ Marietta – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Source: Times research.
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Trunk or Treat:
¯ Belpre Bingo Hall, Stone Road, Belpre – 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
¯ Gator's, 109 Second St., Marietta – 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
¯ Rinky Dink Flea Market – 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30.
¯ Washington County Fairgrounds – 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ Belpre Church of Christ – 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ Porterfield Baptist Church walking track – 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ KMA Auto, 1320 Pike St., Marietta – 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ Ark Church, Main Street, Belpre – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ Pioneer-Family EZ Credit Trucks and SUVs, 497 Pike St., Marietta – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
¯ Harmar – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Fort Street, Fort Square, and Gilman United Methodist Church. Fort Square and Fort Street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.
Source: Times research.