Trick or treat is ON for Berkeley Heights kids (and adults) for 2021! Our local Office of Emergency Management team has met and has decided that Halloween can be as "normal" as possible this year, yet using should now be common-sense precautions when it comes to protecting one's self from COVID. After 19 months of dealing with the pandemic, and with the majority of our eligible population now vaccinated, we are comfortable allowing kids to trick or treat outside as they did before COVID hit our community - and the world - as long as everyone exercises what has become standard caution. Residents have the option to either put candy or other treats out for children to take themselves, or they can have children ring the doorbell - whichever they are most comfortable with.
We strongly encourage the following for outdoor trick or treating:
- Parents, please ensure your kids are masked appropriately when around other people and when going up to residential doors. Remember, most of the children trick or treating age are not vaccinated.
- If you are distributing candy, it's preferable that you distribute it to kids' Halloween bags/buckets, rather than10 kids diving into the bowl at once.
- If you are more comfortable leaving candy outside the door or at the end of your driveway please feel free to do so.
- Parents, please encourage your kids to not crowd around a candy bowl/receptacle ... take turns and don't breathe on each other.
- Please carry hand sanitizer with you and sanitize as you go, as necessary.
- Adults distributing candy should wear masks (again, remember most of our kids trick or treating are not vaccinated) when answering the door.
- If you do not want trick or treaters at your door, please leave your porch light off.
- Please be safe when walking on or near busier roads.
As for indoor Halloween parties, the current CDC rules apply for vaccinated/unvaccinated people. Please keep in mind that when our Town has had COVID outbreaks, particularly among kids, they have mostly been a result of indoor parties or similar indoor events. Please help us avoid having a big spike in numbers this holiday season.
Resources for residents: