The basics will be in evidence — costumes and candy — but the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the presentation of Halloween for many.
The Halloween tradition of downtown trick-or-treating has been canceled this year in Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend, although alternatives are offered.
Forks still will mark Halloween with its annual trick-or-treat at some 30 businesses, which have decided upon different times for the trick-or-treating, either during business hours or from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
North Olympic Peninsula health officers have said that door-to-door trick-or-treating can be safe if guidelines are followed. They urge trick-or-treaters to travel in household groups, practice social distancing and not to gather in parties or crowds over five people.
They caution that masks should be used and that plastic Halloween costume masks are no substitute for cloth or surgical face masks.
Trick-or-treaters should wash their hands before and after collecting treats and use hand sanitizer.
Those who give out treats are urged to limit candy to individually wrapped bags. If possible, place treats on a table in the driveway or yard to avoid crowds at front doors. To see trick-or-treaters, people can sit in a chair in their driveways, garages, yards or porches, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from the treat table.
And, as always, no one who is feeling sick should interact with others. Anyone who has been exposed to a person with the virus also should stay away from others and get a COVID-19 test, health officials said.
For a listing of all of the Halloween events planned on the Peninsula — and there are many — see last Sunday’s Peninsula Daily News or check out our online story.
