Halloween 2020

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Although several annual events for October have been canceled due to COVID-19, trick-or-treating is still on the calendar.  The City of Hattiesburg will observe Halloween on Saturday, October 31 with trick-or-treat hours between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This is a suggested time block for trick-or-treating, and the City encourages all residents to do what is best for their own individual families – including taking necessary precautions in regard to COVID-19.

It’s going to take all of us to make sure Halloween is both safe and fun. Precautions for trick-or-treaters and families include, but, are not limited to:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wear a mask covering both your mouth and nose. This is the best time to be the most creative at covering your face…. and keeping your space. See #3.
• Be spatially aware while trick-or-treating and maintain an appropriate social distance. CDC guidelines suggest 6 feet for people who are not in your household.
• Reduce crowd sizes and stick with family when possible.
• Wash hands often or use antibacterial soap (containing at least 60% alcohol) frequently while out – especially during key times like before eating or after coughing/sneezing.

COVID-19 precautions aren’t limited to trick-or-treaters alone. We ask that Hattiesburgers who choose to give out candy make good decisions on behalf of our neighbors. Help celebrate a holiday that brings so much fun to our community by choosing safe ways to distribute candy, including:

• Do not hand out candy if you are sick.
• Wear a mask covering both your mouth and nose.
• Wash hands often or use antibacterial soap (containing at least 60% alcohol) frequently.
• Choose creative ways to help distribute candy, safely.
  • Use duct tape or another mark to mark 6-feet lines in front of your home and leading up to the doorstep. Be creative and make it as fun as possible for your trick-or-treaters.
  • Position a distribution table between you and your trick-or-treaters, and place candy on a disinfected surface for easy grabbing to eliminate direct contact.
  • Place a table at the end of your sidewalk/at the curb to create a pick-up candy station. Place individually-wrapped candy or goodie bags on the table for an easy grab-and-go.

Halloween always brings out the spooky and fun, but basic pedestrian and public safety tips will help make sure everyone stays safe. The Hattiesburg Fire Department and the Hattiesburg Police Department will be in our neighborhoods throughout the night to help with traffic and to interact with our community. Help them keep everyone safe by following these key safety guidelines:

• Parents should always accompany young children – even in familiar neighborhoods.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on or an indicator that the home is participating in the night’s festivities.
• Never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Make sure you and your child can be seen in dim light/the dark of night. Wear reflective tape or bright costumes. Flashlights also help.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If the sidewalk is not available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.