Public Health is advising would-be ghosts, ghouls, monsters or any other spooky individuals not to touch doorbells or ask for sweets this year on the basis that it could become difficult to maintain physical distancing and that increased hand-to-surface contact could risk spreading the virus.
Meanwhile, those planning parties are being reminded to adhere to restrictions on gatherings.
Deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat said: ‘Although it is not thought that children are the main drivers of Covid, they can still spread the virus and face-to-face exposure with strangers while trick or treating poses more of a risk of spread to Islanders.
‘Children may also be suffering from other viral infections which cause sneezing and coughing, adding to the risk of coronavirus and flu transmission.
‘The practice of trick or treating could increase exposure to high-risk individuals as they may feel pressured to answer their doors to lots of people, which may also add to already-heightened anxiety levels.’
Alternative activities suggested by the government include ‘planning a themed scavenger hunt outside, at a distance with friends’ and ‘carving or decorating pumpkins as a household indoors or outside, at a safe distance, with neighbours and friends’.
