City of Aurora sets times for trick-or-treating Oct. 31
Halloween 2020 will be unique, but it can also be fun as long as safety is the top priority amid COVID-19. The Center for Disease for Control has issued guidance for Halloween activities at tinyurl.com/CDCHalloweenGuidance- with specific suggestions for trick-or-treating in the traditional way.
The City of Aurora encourages adults to make the best decision for their families regarding participation in Halloween activities.
Trick-of-treating hours in Aurora are 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The additional 90 minutes is to provide a longer window of time for families to participate which can allow for less density and greater social distancing in neighborhoods.
To that end, the City of Aurora issues the following guidelines for participating:
For trick-or-treaters
Stay home if you're sick or showing any signs of illness.
Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose - even under/over your Halloween mask!
Only trick or treat with people you live with
Remain 6 feet apart from people not in your household
Don't gather in groups at any point. If someone is at a house getting candy, wait until they're finished before you walk up.
Hand sanitize frequently while out, especially during key times like before eating or after coughing/sneezing
For parents and guardians
Keep children home if they are sick or showing any signs of illness
Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose
Talk with your children about safety and social distancing guidelines and expectations
Make it a family event and accompany your children, even the older ones, to ensure expectations are met.
If any person distributing candy is not wearing a mask or following social distancing protocol, do not go to the house.
Encourage children to refrain from eating candy until they have returned home.
Wash hands as soon as you return home
Inspect candy as usual
For those distributing candy
Do not hand out candy if you are sick or showing any signs of illness.
Wear a face mask covering both your mouth and nose
Help trick-or-treaters maintain social distancing by using tape or chalk to mark 6-foot lines in front of your home and leading to driveway or front door. Let this be a standard part of your Halloween decorating this year!
Strengthen social distancing by positioning a distribution table between yourself and trick or treaters
And distribute candy on disinfected table to eliminate direct contact
Consider individual bags of candy instead of a big bowl
Wear gloves
Wash hands often
If you are participating in trick-or-treating, the city website at www.aurora-il.org/2216/Halloween-2020 offers a "welcome" sign to download and print. Post in a visible location to welcome trick-or-treaters on Halloween. A "Sorry" sign is also available to download and print.
These signs can also be picked up in person on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aurora Customer Service Center, 3770 McCoy Drive.
The Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru at Phillips Park has already sold out with 1,500 families registered.