The question on the minds of many parents, and children, has been whether Halloween celebrations will be able to go ahead this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
With social distancing measures and fears of exposure to the virus, many were unsure how spooky celebrations would proceed.
“I know Halloween is a favourite day for many, and I know many parents are already planning their children’s costumes and activities. I have no plans to suggest Alberta cancel Halloween this year,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical officer of Health during her Thursday, October 1 COVID-19 update.
Dr. Hinshaw added information on ways to keep Halloween celebrations safe are available on the Alberta COVID-19 website. She also suggested Halloween is safer to celebrate due to being outdoors and traditionally within small family groups or cohorts.
She noted the tips and information will help families celebrate Halloween safely and make it “scary, but for the right reasons.”
Whether the annual Halloween Trick-or-Treating event downtown will take place is up for discussion during the Drumheller Community Business Association’s next regular meeting on Wednesday, October 7.
If the annual event goes ahead, ghosts and goblins may face some differences compared to previous years such as one-way foot traffic and mandatory masks.
The Village of Carbon Library will also be holding two Halloween dances on October 30. Guests are limited to 50 for each dance to adhere to social distancing, and volunteers will sanitize between each timed dance.
