This year has seen more than enough horror. But with Halloween just around the corner, children (and adults) are wondering if the haunted holiday will still go ahead.
As a self-confessed spooky season enthusiast, I would usually be spending October screaming my head off at scare attractions, hiding behind the sofa during horror movies and drinking (too) many pumpkin-spiced lattes.
With the number of Coronavirus cases rising and social distancing measures being tightened, I have decided to steer clear of the haunted house this year. It seems that many parents have been wondering whether they should be giving trick-or-treating a miss too.
Trick-or-treating is an important part of Halloween for children. For some, it’s even preferable to Christmas. They spend a long time looking forward to the festivities: getting excited about an amount of sweets that should last until next year (but never do) and preparing a costume to wear. Unless of course, like me, you had to go dressed in the same purple and black witch dress, stripy tights and pointy hat every year.
“the concern lies in the potential to spread it among those who are vulnerable”
While studies suggest children are least likely to experience complications from the virus, the concern lies in the potential to spread it among those who are vulnerable.
What are the rules?
On 2nd October, a spokesperson for Downing Street said that areas in a local lockdown, which includes the cities of Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, will not be able to participate in trick-or-treating. Elsewhere, the ‘rule of six’ applies and social distancing would have to be followed, as well as washing of hands before and after eating and handling food.
Director of Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, has highlighted how important it is to check on those who could be feeling lonely and that a visit this Halloween could be “a welcome treat”, as long as guidelines and restrictions are adhered to.
In America, health officials have outlined considerations for holiday gatherings suggesting people avoid high-risk activities such as attending indoor parties and haunted houses, and Los Angeles County officials even banned, although later discouraged, trick-or-treating. In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also told children they cannot go trick-or-treating, saying that this “is better than allowing children to be at risk”.
Yet with a second national lockdown looming over October half-term, we might not see any monsters, ghouls or clowns on UK streets at all this year.
So, is Halloween cancelled?
As with many events and occasions this year, it will be different. But that doesn’t mean to say we can’t be creative and resourceful in our celebrations (another Zoom quiz, anyone?). It definitely does not mean that we have to cancel it altogether.
Sitting at home in last year’s vampire costume sipping on an eyeball snot-tail (or cocktail, Halloween does fall on a Saturday this year) might actually be just what we need after what has been an extremely difficult time.
Both children and adults alike can still have fun getting stuck in on festivities: crafting, baking, pumpkin-carving, a (household-only) party and even a ghost-walk or decorations trail around the neighbourhood.
Personally, I will be dusting off my decorations for a scary film night. Although I am not sure my glittery pumpkins and ghost bunting from Home Bargains will rival Kylie Jenner’s Halloween-themed mansion.
Sophie Henderson
Featured image courtesy of David Menidrey on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.