The City of Sanford has received numerous inquiries from residents about whether the City plans to “cancel” Halloween this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The City has an ordinance that limits trick-or-treating to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 31 within residential areas. However, Halloween is a nationally recognized event that is not otherwise regulated by the City of Sanford. View the City of Sanford’s Halloween ordinance >>
Due to the pandemic, this year the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Sanford “strongly recommend” against traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating in favor of lower risk activities, such as outdoor, socially-distanced pumpkin carving or having a movie night with members of your household. View a list of low- and moderate-risk alternatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention >>
Ultimately, the City leaves the decision whether to participate in traditional Halloween night activities to the discretion of residents. Any residents who do not want trick-or-treaters on their property should turn off their porch lights and close their front doors. Trick-or-treaters are asked to be respectful to those who choose not to participate.
Those who do choose to participate – either as trick-or-treaters or distributors of candy – are strongly urged to follow these public health recommendations:
- Be safe and use common sense, such as wear a protective mask or face covering;
- Maintain social distancing if not in the same household;
- Any household with a positive case of COVID-19 should not participate;
- Any individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should not participate;
- Any homes that are supplying candy are encouraged to practice safe social distancing;
- All participants should sanitize their hands after touching objects or people.
For more guidance around safely participating in Halloween activities, visit our website.