The Village of West Milwaukee will not be scheduling Trick or Treat hours this year, this means that traditional Trick or Treat activities have been suspended for 2020.
Residents are encouraged to participate in lower-risk ways of celebrating this year as we continue to see rising coronavirus infection rates in our state. Residents are advised that the West Allis Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against traditional trick or treating practices during the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC categorizes this activity as high-risk for potential transmission of the virus. Participation is at one’s own risk and discretion.
Per the CDC, these lower risk activities can be safe alternatives to traditional trick or treat events:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
Additional Guidance from the CDC
- If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy at any Halloween activity.
- A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
- Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
