Halloween 2020: What COVID-19 means for you and your little ghouls this year
We look at the state by state rules for trick or treating and more ...
2020 has been rough year for us all, but it’s got to be noted that kids have gotten a pretty rough end of the stick.
Homeschooling, no play dates, the cancellation of much anticipated birthday parties, school celebrations, camps, formals and more. What a dud year!
Fortunately, in most states (we’re feeling for you, Victoria) restrictions are starting to ease, so we’re taking a look at what that means for the next festive occasion coming up … Halloween!
And because it’s 2020, of course this year Halloween falls on not only a full moon but a pretty rare blue moon! Halloween 2020 will truly be one to remember.
Read on for what October 31 will look like where you live …
Halloween 2020’s rare blue moon
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a pretty freaky year, and it looks like the freak is set to level-up on Halloween where we will see a full moon, an event that hasn’t coincided with Halloween since back in 2001.
Oh, and it’s not just your average full moon, it will be a blue moon and that’s an event that only occurs on Halloween every 18-19 years or so. That’s just four times a century. Howwwwwwwwllll!
Don’t expect top look up and see an actual blue coloured moon in the sky though, that’s not what a blue moon is.
There’s actually a couple of different types of blue moons, there’s a seasonal blue moon which is the third full moon in an astronomical season where four full moons occur and there is a monthly blue moon which is the one we can expect to experience on Halloween 2020. A ‘monthly’ blue moon is the rare occurrence when two full moons occur within the same month and it’s where the expression ‘once in a blue moon’ comes from.
The rare blue moon is sure to bring out the wild side this year!
Try ‘ghosting’ instead of trick or treating
Depending on the rules in where you live (read more below) you might not be allowed or be entirely comfortable with trick or treating this year.
However there are still plenty of fun ways to get your ghoul on. You could have a family disco, watch spooky movies, bake ghoulish treats or you could spread a little socially distanced holiday cheer by ‘ghosting’ your neighbours and friends.
What is ghosting?
Make up some little bags of treats, sheets of spooky jokes or ghoulish artwork (clean hands or gloves, of course!) and stealthily drop them on the doorsteps of your neighbours, classmates and family on Halloween.
Add a note asking the recipient to do the same and pass on the festive cheer and before you know it, the whole neighbourhood is joining in!
Halloween 2020 is going to look a little different to years past thanks to a little old global pandemic.
State by state rules for Halloween 2020
New South Wales
Residents of NSW are living with more relaxed restrictions that some of the other states, so technically carrying on with business as usual would mean no rules were being broken.
However, the state government has been proactive in ensuring all of NSW stays safe, by offering the following advice:
COVID-safe tips if you plan to hand out treats
NSW Health recommends:
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 over Halloween, stay home, don’t receive Halloween visitors and get tested immediately
- If you are self-isolating, don’t answer the door to trick-or-treaters
- Make it a front-yard event, not at the front-door of your house. Keep your celebrations outdoors and get creative in decorating the front yard
- Only hand out individually wrapped treats
- Don’t use communal lolly bowls. Consider other ways of distributing treats such as hanging them individually on your fence, front gate or up your driveway
- Offer hand sanitiser at your front gate or fence
- You may wish to avoid people knocking on your door by putting up a sign that says “We are home but due to COVID-19, we are distancing. Please take one, Happy Halloween”
- Remember, you can only have 20 people on your property at one time.
COVID-safe tips if you plan to trick-or-treat
NSW Health recommends:
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- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 this Halloween, stay home and give trick-or-treating a miss this year. Get tested immediately
- Keep it local by staying in your suburb rather than going to well-known “treat streets” that attract crowds
- Celebrate outside, don’t go to people’s front door
- Stay in small household groups (for example a supervising adult and children from the same household) rather than groups of young people together. Remember, no more than 20 people can gather outside in a public place
- Stay 1.5 meters away from people you don’t live with
- Only take treats that are individually wrapped
- Use a disposable bag to collect your treats, and dispose of it appropriately afterwards
- Don’t share your treats with others from different households
- Don’t share costumes or costume face masks
- Carry hand sanitiser with you and use it often, especially after touching common surfaces.
Common sense will be the key for a successful Halloween in 2020.
Queensland
Right now Queenslanders and those within the NSW border bubble are allowed to travel freely within the state and visit each other for any reason, which includes Halloween.
As of 4:00pm Friday 16 October 2020, residents were advised that all of Queensland can gather in groups of up to 40 people in their homes and public spaces however, Queenslanders are still advised to practice social distancing as much as possible and wash or sanitise their hands regularly.
Follow all of the State’s health advise and trick or treating should be fine.
Northern Territory
Right now residents in the NT are living with some pretty relaxed rules in terms of visiting each other and moving around within the state however, of course, everyone is under direction to follow social distancing and hygiene advice.
Halloween is a go in the NT!
Note: While there are no current limits on outdoor gatherings or home visits, anyone hosting an event should ensure there is at least 1.5m of space between guests who don’t reside in the same home.
WATCH: Cute kids Hungry Caterpillar DIY costume. Continues after video …
Victoria
Lockdown restrictions are still in play in the southern state, meaning that residents are still under stage 3 and 4 lockdown restrictions, which could derail any trick or treating plans this year.
Specifically, Metropolitan Victorians are not permitted to leave a 5km radius from their homes and are not permitted to Trick or Treat under the current restrictions.
While regional Victorians have been able to leave the home without restrictions and groups of up to 10 people have been able to meet outdoors.
However this is a situation that is constantly changing and may do so again before October 31.
Tasmania
The apple isle remains a closed state, however residents are able to move pretty freely within the state itself. This means Tassie families, under the current regulations, can expect to be able to trick or treat so long as they continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene.
If you’re planning. a party, current rules for socialising allow for 500 people at outdoor gatherings, while 20 people can visit your house at one time.
WATCH: Make Jack O’Lantern Bowls. Continues after video ..
South Australia
South Australians are free to move around and visit for any reason. Social distancing requirements remain in place with residents urged to keep their distance and continue to practice good hygiene.
With a little common sense and some careful planning, trick or treating should be allowed.
There is no limit on outdoor gatherings, and residents can have up to 50 people visiting their home, so if you’re planning on hosting huge a spooky party take note of those limitations.
Western Australia
Residents in WA face very few restrictions right now. While travel to remote indigenous communities is still limited, there are minimal limits on public gatherings, home visits and in-state travel meaning families in WA could reasonable expect that trick or treating would be allowed.
With common sense and by following the state government’s health advice to continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene, it looks like business as usual this year.
Note: You will need to allow for person per two square metres in your home if you’re getting your party on.
Australian Capital Territory
With restrictions quite relaxed in the ACT, families can reasonably expect that if they practice social distancing and good hygiene they will be allowed to head out for trick or treating.
Party planners note: Outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, while there is no limit on household visitors currently.
