With Monday, October 31 rapidly approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill announced its plans for accommodating a downtown Halloween celebration that night.

The town government said it will close Franklin Street and Columbia Street to motorists from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Franklin Street will be closed between the Church Street and Henderson Street intersections, and Columbia Street will be closed between the Rosemary Street and Cameron Avenue intersections. Roads feeding into the closed areas may also be inaccessible.

An aerial graphic of closures and police set-ups along downtown Chapel Hill for October 31, 2022. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill/Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership.)

Officers from the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC police departments will all be downtown on Halloween night. A list of prohibited items includes open containers of alcohol, weapons or items that look like or could be used as weapons, and drones. These items will be removed if seen by an officer, according to the town. Additionally, Hill Hall on UNC campus will be set up as a treatment center for anyone who experiences a medical emergency.

It’s a change from the Chapel Hill’s message to community members last Halloween, when town did not preemptively block the downtown area due to the COVID-19 pandemic was still causing a high spread of cases. Little to no people gathered in the traffic right of way as a result. This year, to guard against potential exposure to both COVID-19 and monkeypox, the town is encouraging residents and students to avoid celebrating in large crowds — even outside. Orange County is currently at a medium level of community spread for COVID. The Orange County Health Department has also released a guide of safer alternatives for Halloween, which can be found here.

 

Featured image via Town of Chapel Hill

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
On Measles, Orange County Wants to Bring 'Immunity to the Community'
Later this month, Orange County is hosting a public symposium on measles, part of a push to urge parents to get their kids vaccinated.
On Air Today: Orange County Measles Symposium, 'Bringing Immunity to the Community'
Orange County medical director Erica Pettigrew joins Aaron to discuss an upcoming public symposium on measles and the MMR vaccine.
Mental Health, Infant Mortality and Environmental Racism: Takeaways From Orange County's Health Assessment Data
Every four years, the Orange County Health Department embarks on an intensive effort to gather wide-ranging, local health information in its Community Health Assessment, which happened in 2023. One month ago, the health department shared those results and data with residents. The health department published its public copies of the 2023 assessment after surveys, focus […]
Orange, Chatham Communities to Host Public Talks About Opioid Settlement Funding
The Orange County and Chatham County local governments are preparing for community meetings about incoming funding from opioid settlements.
Medical Clinic at Southern Human Services Center Re-Opening on Monday
The Orange County Health Department’s medical clinic at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill will re-open on Monday, July 10. The clinic had been closed due to a facilities construction project at the building since November 7. The county government originally estimated in November that the project would last approximately four months. The […]
Orange County Ends COVID-19 Testing Services After Nearly 3 Years
After nearly three years of offering PCR tests for COVID-19, the Orange County Health Department has officially halted its testing services.
Orange County Health Department: No More COVID-19 Shots at Hillsborough Site
The Orange County Health Department has closed its COVID vaccination site in Hillsborough, though one remains open in Chapel Hill.
'Safer, Stronger, and Healthier': Orange County Trio Wins Dogwood Award
Three local residents earned recognition this week for their efforts to promote women's health and fairness and equity in criminal justice.
Construction to Affect Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill
Orange County expects an impending facilities construction project to affect government services at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, according to a release sent out on Thursday afternoon. The county government says construction in the area will begin on Monday, November 7 and last for approximately four months. The Health, Housing and Social […]
Town of Chapel Hill Shares 2022 Plans for Halloween
With Monday, October 31 rapidly approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill announced its plans for accommodating a downtown Halloween celebration that night. The town government said it will close Franklin Street and Columbia Street to motorists from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Franklin Street will be closed between the Church Street and […]
›