Parents and children are being asked not to go ‘Trick or Treating’ on Halloween this year because of the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus.
The advice has been brought in by the Government in areas, including the Bradford district, where Tier Two lockdown status is in place.
People from different households are not allowed to meet in homes or other indoor venues, unless they are in a ‘support bubble’. No more than six people are allowed to congregate outdoors.
Groups of children accompanied by their parents or carers knocking on doors and receiving sweets from different people would create an ideal situation for the virus to spread from person to person.
For this reason Bradford Council is asking people to celebrate Halloween at home with the family and not go out.
Children can still dress up in their favourite scary costume, play games and receive treats as long as they stay away from other households.
Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “We can’t thank our residents enough for making the sacrifices they have already made to prevent the spread of this horrible virus.
“We are asking them to try to adapt their traditional celebrations of Halloween and Bonfire Night to the unique situation we are in this year, so as not to break the regulations designed to keep everyone safe.
“The advice to Stay Safe, Stay Alert and Stay Home must be followed until we can go back to normal again and enjoy our lives as we have always done.”
For more information about Covid-19 and ways to stay safe visit www.bradford.gov.uk/coronavirus
Facebook groups have been set up in Ben Rhydding and Burley-in-Wharfedale to create Halloween Trails as an alternative, similar to the rainbow trails during lockdown, children can walk around their neighbourhood looking for pumpkin posters in windows or home decorated and receive a treat from their parent/carer.