Saskatchewan public health has released a detailed list of COVID-19 safety guidelines for residents planning fall events, including recommendations of practices for Thanksgiving and Halloween.
While families were forced to embrace virtual Easter celebrations this spring in the middle of the province’s quarantine lockdown, the guidelines for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and seasonal fowl suppers are a little looser.
Public health is reminding residents that there is a limit of 30 people allowed at any indoor and outdoor gathering, as part of the provincial pandemic regulations, and that physical distancing and hand washing is still strongly encouraged.
People are also being encouraged to limit celebrations that involve a shared meal to only extended household members and to consider wearing face masks where physical distance can’t be maintained.
Buffet-style meals and potlucks are discouraged, to minimize cross-contamination, and public health recommends having one person serving food.
Fowl suppers, a long-honoured tradition in Saskatchewan, are allowed but they must either move to a takeout format or follow all safety guidelines for hosting food service.
Officials are not prohibiting trick-or-treating this Halloween, but they are reminding kids and parents to be careful about maintaining distance from others and avoiding physical contact while out and visiting homes.
Residents are being encouraged to hand out candy from a distance, even using tools or an alternate set-up to avoid hand-to-hand contact. Store-bought, wrapped candy is preferred, said the guidelines, and only one household member should be handing out candy — and they should wear a face mask if physical distancing can’t be done.
Kids should carry hand sanitizer with them while venturing into the neighbourhood and consider incorporating face masks into their costumes.
Public health is also recommending cleaning candy with disinfectant wipes once parents get home or quarantining the treats for at least 72 hours before consuming.
The guidelines also ask residents to consider an alternative to the traditional trick-or-treating, suggesting costume parades, virtual costume showing, or drive-by parades to view costumes or decorations.
Public Health also shared guidelines for the safe operation of haunted houses, pumpkin patches and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
For the full details of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s guidelines, visit the page for the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan at saskatchewan.ca/covid19.
