Middletown Township Police Department announced that Halloween trick-or-treating hours will be from noon to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st. Please note, as per Township Ordinance 202-1, an 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew will be in effect for people under the age of 18 on October 30th and October 31st.
“Although trick-or-treating has not been prohibited, parents and children are reminded to use caution and observe social distancing guidelines as we are still under a state of emergency due to COVID-19,” said Police Chief Craig Weber. “Those who do plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local, and limit the number of houses on their route.”
Traditional Halloween activities are fun, but some can increase the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 or influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends planning alternate ways to participate in Halloween. Here are some of their tips to make trick-or-treating safer this year:
- Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
- Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
- Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
- Wash hands before handling treats.
- Wear a mask.
- Trick-or-treaters should make their cloth mask part of their costume. Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
- Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
For more Halloween safety recommendations from the CDC, please click HERE. The New Jersey Department of Health also released health and safety guidance for local officials, schools, organizations, and families. Click HERE for more information.
Residents can contact the Middletown Township Police Department at 732-615-2100 with any safety concerns.