Halloween is coming and it is leaving some concerned about their safety. With the pandemic, it goes without saying that Halloween will look different this year. The days of a lot of people decorating their houses, handing out candy, people getting dressed up, kids trick-or-treating, and secondary and post-secondary students hosting parties is gone.
It has been advised by the Middlesex Health Unit, the City of London, and the London Police that people should consider staying home this Halloween, and if people are choosing partake in trick-or-treating that they should take extra safety precautions to physically distance and stay safe. The city, police and health unit have been sharing ideas for other things that people could do this year for Halloween.
We have heard of people saying they will use tongs to hand out candy or installing a tub to their railing to send candy down the tub to the kids. However, this isn’t really addressing the concern of potential underground Halloween parties.
People are concerned about trick-or-treating, and parties that might take place. However, Constable Sandasha Bough with the London Police Department reminds the community that the police will be out patrolling the streets on Halloween night like they always are on any other night, and that they rely on the public to notify them of anything suspicious.
“If we don’t know, we can’t go, and we really rely on tips from the public,” said Bough.
When it comes to underground parties, Bough says that “all COVID related concerns continue to go through the COVID concern email address and phone number which in turn is dealt with by the appropriate agency. So, it could be City of London bylaw, Middlesex London Health Unit, or the police.”
However, if the police are called and show up regarding a public gathering, “then there is a chance that the $10,000 fine may be issued.” It is important to note that the fines could also be issued by the City of London bylaw enforcement.
It is important to note that “if a gathering does take place that exceeds provincial limits, there is a minimum fine of $10,000 for hosting a gathering and a $750 fine for attendees,” Bough said.
As per provincial guidelines and limits, there is an outdoor limit of 25 people and an indoor limit of 10 people when it comes to public gatherings. Health authorities have suggested that these individuals be within your social circle.
As for police, Bough said, “there will be no additional precautions needed by police; however, we continue to encourage members of the public to follow public health guidelines with respect to physical distancing, wearing masks, and just the provincial guidelines involving gathering sizes.”
Halloween will look a little different this year, but if we follow guidelines, we can all stay safe and have some fun.
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