Halloween weekend has arrived and local Orange County officials are encouraging community members to avoid typical holiday traditions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With mass gathering limits in place and statewide COVID-19 cases on the rise, elected leaders are letting people know Halloween will be celebrated and regulated differently from a local government perspective.

The Town of Chapel Hill announced at the start of October it would not be closing Franklin Street with law enforcement to allow community members to walk around the downtown road in costumes Halloween night. While not a town-sponsored event, the town typically prevents traffic from driving down Franklin Street and part of Columbia Street to accommodate for the thousands of people celebrating.

On Thursday, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger reiterated to 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck community members should not expect to be able to freely walk in the street Saturday night.

“We know people want to celebrate,” she said, “but Halloween is going to be different this year. We’re not going to be closing down the streets downtown unless there’s a safety precaution to do so. We want people to find other creative ways to celebrate.”

Hemminger cited state health experts’ concerns about the potential for the coronavirus to spread during large gatherings and colder months, saying following the 3 W’s of washing hands, waiting six feet apart and wearing non-costumed masks will be as important as ever.

“We just had an announcement from the U.S. Conference of Mayors about heading into winter season, and they’re concerned with things like Halloween and gatherings,” said Hemminger. “COVID-19 is on an uptick right now and we need to keep people safe.”

Orange County health officials released their guidance at the start of October for ways community members could stay safe for the holiday. While traditional trick-or-treating and indoor costume parties are deemed higher-risk activities, the county suggested holding small gatherings outdoors and setting out treats in individual bags to limit potential spread of the virus. The safest ways still are to do Halloween-themed activities with your household, with Orange County suggesting scavenger hunts or movie nights.

Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Penny Rich said she believed the county’s suggestions provide ample ways to alter traditions but still have a fun holiday.

“You could still have some fun with the kids,” said Rich. “It’s the adults that are going to have to calm down.”

Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood also issued some guidance for adults this weekend, advising against gathering with those outside of one’s immediate household or leading children to trick-or-treat at residences with no lights on. He said it’s important for community members to look at the holiday through a public health perspective, which means also avoiding activities that could lead to increases in positive coronavirus cases in the next couple of weeks.

“Bonfires and parties, especially if they include alcohol, are very risky,” the sheriff described in a release. “Activities where people might get boisterous, take off face coverings, or raise their voices to be heard over the music or the crowd are activities ripe for this virus to spread.”

“Have a good time,” Blackwood added, “but be smart.”

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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