Here's what you need to know about Ontario's guidance for Thanksgiving and Halloween
Ontario has released its guidance and rules for the upcoming holidays in the province.
The province says indoor gatherings with people from outside your household are allowed this year, as long as they follow the current provincial gathering limits.
Ontario's gathering limits are currently 100 outdoors and 25 indoors.
"We are able to gather together with friends and family for Thanksgiving this year provided public health rules are followed," Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Thursday.
The province says that virtual gatherings are still the safest way to celebrate, especially if people in the group are unvaccinated.
Moore said that within a group of fully vaccinated individuals, face covers are no longer necessary.
With people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance, the province says.
The province is asking hosts to create a list of guests attending in case local public health unit need it for contact tracing.
No one should attend if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild, the province says.
Ontario also released guidelines for Halloween this year, saying that trick-or-treating can go ahead.
The province is asking that everyone trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible.
"Be creative and build the face covering into your costume," the province's guideline says, adding that interactions should be brief with those giving out treats.
"Use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats."
There is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats, the province says.
Here's the full list of new guidelines from the province.
THANKSGIVING GATHERINGS
- Do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Have the fewest number of people possible at your gathering
- Use outdoor spaces whenever possible
- Provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water
- Open windows, if possible
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
- Ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Make a list of guests attending in case your local public health unit needs it for contact tracing
- Remind people of public health advice to follow during the event
- Wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food
- Have everyone wash their hands before and after eating
- Consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19
REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENTS
- Stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or is required
- Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently
- Consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19
HALLOWEEN
- Stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible
- Be creative and build the face covering into your costume. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering. A costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.
- Do not crowd doorsteps – take turns one at a time
- Do not sing or shout for your treats
- Keep interactions brief with those giving out treats
- Use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats
- There is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats
If you choose to give out treats:
- Do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you
- Consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained
- Consider including the face covering as part of your costume if you are dressing up
- Give out only purchased and packaged treats
- Do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats
- Clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer
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