What you should know before going trick-or-treating in Ontario this Halloween
Kids in Ontario will be allowed to go trick-or-treating this year, but may have to refrain from saying that same phrase in exchange for candy on Halloween night.
As families walk from house to house this year, officials are asking them not to sing or shout for their treats and to build face coverings into their costumes.
The new guidelines, which were released earlier this month, keep in line with rules laid out over the last few months that encourage mask-wearing and physical distancing.
Here's what you need to know before you head out the door on Halloween night.
TRICK-OR-TREATERS
Officials are urging children to stay home if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 and to take part in outdoor activities as much as possible if they do participate in Halloween festivities.
They are also asking children to wear a proper face covering or mask while trick-or-treating. Officials have repeatedly said that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering; however, they also warn that wearing a costume mask over a non-medical mask could make it difficult to breathe. They recommend "being creative" and building the face covering into your costume.
Children must not sing or shout for treats, and parents are encouraged to keep interactions with homeowners brief. Physical distancing—or taking turns at the door—is encouraged.
"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," the guidelines said.
"There is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats."
HOMEOWNERS
The same general rules apply for those giving out treats as for those trick-or-treating. If anyone in the household develops symptoms of COVID-19, that household should not hand out candy.
Interactions with children should remain brief and those giving out candy should consider wearing a face covering if physical distancing is not possible.
Treats should be purchased and packaged, meaning no homemade goodies should be passed out.
Homeowners are also being told not to ask for the standard "trick-or-treat" chant, as well as any singing or shouting, in exchange for candy.
Those handing out candy are expected to sanitize or wash their hands often throughout the evening.
FEWER DOORS TO KNOCK ON DUE TO PANDEMIC
Last year some children in Ontario were unable to take part in trick-or-treating due to the spread of COVID-19. Premier Doug Ford said at the time that the risk of disease spread was too great in hot spots like Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa for children to gather at houses.
“We’re trying to make it as safe and simple as possible, my friends, we all know this isn’t going to be a regular Halloween,” Ford said in 2020. “We just can’t have hundreds of kids showing up at your door if you live in a hotspot, especially in an apartment building.”
A new study by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that while many parents are planning on letting their children go trick-or-treating this year, fewer than half of Canadians will open their doors to kids because of the pandemic.
About 56 per cent of respondents said they would open their doors. Of those, half said they usually hand out candy on the night of Halloween.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.