The Village of Oswego government is encouraging residents to choose safe ways of celebrating Halloween this year to help stop the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified traditional trick-or-treating as a high-risk activity that can promote the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, the village government of Oswego encourages residents to make a conscious decision this year on whether to participate in trick-or-treating.
Residents who will participate in trick-or-treating this year are encouraged to abide by the following guidelines to reduce the risk of community spread:
• If you or someone in your house is ill, do not go trick-or-treating, or give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
• Face mask: Face masks that are a part of Halloween costumes will not protect you or others from coronavirus particles as effectively as a regular cloth or surgical face mask.
• Plan to stay at least six feet apart from other trick-or-treaters not in your household.
• Do not visit homes that are not participating in trick-or-treating. Residents should turn their porch light on if they are participating, and off, if they are not participating.
• Parents should accompany children to ensure that trick-or-treaters are following appropriate health and safety guidelines.
• Consider facilitating one-way trick-or-treating. Place individually- wrapped treats out on a table near the sidewalk or at the end of your driveway for children to grab and go.
Trick-or-treating hours, which are typically from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Oswego, have been expanded from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, to allow trick-or-treaters the ability to accommodating greater spacing.
Residents are encouraged to celebrate with lower-risk activities, such as pumpkin-carving, decorating, scary movie nights, and scavenger hunts with individuals in their household. The CDC has issued guidance for families on safer ways to celebrate on its website.
Join us for a Community Drive-Around Scavenger Hunt
Families are encouraged to get outside and have some Fall fun with a Community Drive-Around Scavenger Hunt, a benefit for a great cause.
The Community Drive-Around Scavenger Hunt will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with check-in between 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.. This family-friendly event will offer an opportunity for young ghosts and goblins to dress up, decorate the car, and explore the Oswego community.
Team members in a household can drive through Oswego to follow clues and snap photos of family members with Halloween props. Up to $100 in gift certificates will be awarded. Registration is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Net proceeds will be a benefit for the Kendall County Food Pantry.
Registration and details are available at: oswegocommunityscavengerhunt.eventbrite.com.
—Village of Oswego