October 14, 2021, 11:30 a.m. (ChST)
DPHSS Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Halloween and for All Souls Day
On October 13, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued COVID-19 Guidance for Halloween and COVID-19 Guidance for All Souls Day:
COVID-19 Guidance for a Safe Halloween
In preparation for Halloween this year, DPHSS reiterates that limitations on congregations provided in DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-24, relative to Amendments and Further Clarification on Vaccination Requirements and Social Gathering Restrictions Relative to Executive Orders No. 2021-20 and 2021-21 remain in full effect, and the following requirements shall be enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
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Face masks that cover both the nose and mouth must be worn at all times.
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Individuals who are twelve (12) years plus one (1) month of age and older must be vaccinated to participate in congregations and social gatherings, such as Halloween and/or costume parties, haunted houses, and other similar activities.
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Congregations and social gatherings are limited to no more than ten (10) vaccinated individuals for indoors or twenty-five (25) vaccinated individuals for outdoors. This includes children below 12 years plus one (1) month of age.
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Intermingling with other groups is prohibited.
DPHSS strongly encourages safer alternatives for enjoying Halloween such as:
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Individuals from the same household having indoor trick-or-treat activities, decorating and carving pumpkins, and putting up Halloween decorations inside and/or outside the home;
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Admiring Halloween decorations in the neighborhood at a distance;
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Reading classic Halloween stories or watching Halloween-themed movies or shows at home;
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Participating in safe curbside trick-or-treating events sponsored by responsible businesses;
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Holding a drive-by car-decorating contest with judges who are physically distanced;
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Having reverse trick-or-treat by dropping small gift bags of commercially packaged candy on neighbor’s porch instead; and/or
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Conducting a virtual Halloween costume contest so everyone can show off their costume.
In the event individuals choose to participate in traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, DPHSS provides requirements below for all individuals involved.
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General Guidance
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Households with any individual who is experiencing flu-like symptoms or COVID-19-like symptoms, or is under quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, are prohibited from participating in social gatherings or any trick-or-treating activities, including distribution of treats.
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Trick-or-treat only with members of the same household.
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Face masks/coverings must be worn by all individuals involved in trick-or-treating, with the exception of children under two (2) years of age.
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All individuals participating in any trick-or-treating activities are advised to properly wash hands before handling treats.
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Refrain from eating treats and candies while trick-or-treating to minimize the removal of face masks.
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Consider individuals in the household who may be at greater risk of complications if COVID-19 is brought into the home, such as those with certain health conditions, women who are pregnant, or older family members.
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Guidance for Individuals/Households Distributing Treats
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Wash hands properly before handling treats.
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Wear a face mask at all times.
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Avoid direct contact with other trick-or-treaters and maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from other groups.
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Treats should only be distributed outdoors.
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Use store-bought treats that are individually plastic-wrapped.
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Adults should be the individuals distributing treats while wearing a face mask and gloves.
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It is highly encouraged to use tongs, a spoon, or a tray to distribute treats. Children should not be allowed to retrieve their treats from a bowl or bag.
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It is highly encouraged to practice safer, socially distant ways to conduct door-to-door trick-or-treating and distributing treats:
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Set up a table/station outside with individually bagged treats spaced apart for trick-or-treaters to take.
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Use a candy slide made of PVC pipe, or hanging treats from a wall or fence.
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Guidance for Parents/Guardians/Adults Responsible for Underage Trick-or-Treaters and for Trick-or-Treaters
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Parents/Guardians should talk with their children about safety precautions and physical distancing in preparation for trick-or-treating.
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If your child is at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, contact your doctor before allowing participation in Halloween activities.
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Wear a face mask.
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Highly encourage to make face masks a part of Halloween costumes.
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A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a face mask.
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Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask as it may make breathing more difficult.
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Practice social distancing.
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Stay at least six (6) feet away from others who do not live in the same household.
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Individuals are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when in close contact with others for a long period of time.
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Wash your hands.
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Bring hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) with you and use it after touching objects or other individuals.
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Parents/Guardians: supervise young children using hand sanitizers.
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Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds when you get home and before you consume any treats.
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Upon completion of trick-or-treating, the following are highly advised:
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Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after handwashing.
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Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats made by strangers.
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As always, parents/guardians should check all treats to make sure they are properly wrapped and should discard treats with broken or unsealed wrappers.
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Guidance for Business Operators Distributing Treats
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Businesses are strongly discouraged from holding in-person/walk-through trick-or-treat events in an enclosed, indoor area, or an in-person, non-curbside, outdoor area.
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Outdoor, drive-up, and curbside distribution of treats is encouraged.
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For Employees Distributing Treats:
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No more than twenty-five (25) vaccinated employees may participate in the distribution of treats.
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Face masks are required to be worn by employees distributing treats.
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Hands must be washed by employees with soap for a minimum of twenty (20) seconds or with hand sanitizer (with 60% or more alcohol) before handling treats. Use hand sanitizers between servicing trick-or-treating vehicle.
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It is highly encouraged to use tongs, a spoon, or a tray to distribute treats. Children should not be allowed to retrieve their treats from a bowl or bag.
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For Individuals Receiving Treats:
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Individuals must remain in their vehicles.
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Turn off any mechanical ventilation (i.e., fan and air conditioning) of the vehicle before driving up to receive treats.
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Face masks must be worn by all individuals in the vehicle while receiving treats.
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Applicable DPHSS guidance memoranda and minimum requirements must be followed, including, but not limited to, the following:
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Do not allow any congregation of individuals in the parking lot and other areas on the premises. Eliminate all common seating, lounge, or play areas where children and others might congregate.
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Have hand sanitizers readily available to all customers.
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DPHSS encourages everyone to get fully vaccinated and obtain their booster shot, if qualified to receive one. For further questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 671-300-9579 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.
COVID-19 Guidance for a Safe All Souls Day
As the community celebrates All Souls Day this year, DPHSS reiterates that limitations on congregations provided in DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-24 relative Amendments and Further Clarification on Vaccination Requirements and Social Gathering Restrictions Relative to Executive Orders No. 2021-20 and 2021-21 remain in full effect, and the following requirements shall be enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
-
Face masks that cover both the nose and mouth must be worn at all times.
-
Individuals who are twelve (12) years plus one (1) month of age and older must be vaccinated to participate in congregations and social gatherings.
-
Congregations and social gatherings are limited to no more than ten (10) vaccinated individuals for indoors or twenty-five (25) vaccinated individuals for outdoors. This includes children below 12 years plus one (1) month of age.
-
Intermingling with other groups is prohibited.