City of Long Beach Issues Guidance for Celebrating Halloween Safely

As residents begin to plan for the upcoming holiday season beginning with Halloween, the City is providing guidance for celebrating safely, including safer alternatives that still promote a festive environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Halloween activities that are allowed, in adherence with the City’s Safer at Home Order and related protocols, include:

• Online parties/contests (e.g., costume or pumpkin carving).
• Car parades, such as drive-by events or contests.
• Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters. 
• Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants. 
• Halloween-themed art installations at outdoor museums.
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.

Halloween activities that are not allowed include:

• Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members, even if conducted outdoors.
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment and haunted house attractions.

Door-to-door trick-or-treating should also be avoided as it can be very difficult to maintain proper physical distancing, ensure that everyone is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread and because sharing food is not recommended. “Trunk-or- treating,” where children go from car-to-car instead of door-to-door to receive treats, is also not recommended as it can be challenging to avoid crowding and sharing food.

It is also important to keep the following precautions in mind when celebrating Halloween and other upcoming holidays: 

• Always wear a cloth face covering when outside and when around others that are not part of your household.
• Avoid confined spaces. Actively stay away from indoor spaces that do not allow for easy distancing of at least six feet. 
• Avoid close contact with others. Stay at least six feet away from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating, drinking and singing.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
• If you are sick, or if you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and away from others.

The City reminds residents of Halloween fire safety tips, including using battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns and keeping exits and escape routes clear of decorations. It is also a good time to make sure that all smoke alarms in homes are working.

During the holiday season, it is especially important to note the importance of not driving under the influence. Remember that driving under the influence is more than drunk driving: it includes marijuana and some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, in addition to alcohol and illegal drugs. The City also urges drivers to plan routes in advance and avoid texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving.

View additional guidance for celebrating Halloween safely, and join the online discussion using #CelebrateSafelyLB. 

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19