Ontario's Halloween guidelines called out for conflicting messages

Yahoonews.ca
October 22, 2020

On Monday, Dr. David Williams, top Ontario physician announced that door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended this Halloween for modified Stage 2 regions.

Considering the high number of COVID-19 cases in Ottawa, Toronto, Peel, and York Region, Williams recommended people living in these regions should celebrate in alternative ways such as virtual parties, movie night, organize a candy hunt with people living in your household, decorate your front lawn, or carve pumpkins at home.

"As Ontarians begin to prepare for Halloween this year, I'd like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to ensure you are keeping yourself and your families safe,” stated Williams.

The announcement came the same day York Region transitioned into modified Stage 2, following suit with the other three hotspot regions in the province.

For people living outside of modified Stage 2 regions, Williams recommended only going out with family members and trick-or-treating outdoors only, while wearing a face mask and maintaining distance.

“The severity of this second wave is in our hands,” stated Williams. “Through our collective efforts, we can change the outcome of this new outbreak.”

“That is why it remains critical to continue following these important actions every day in order to protect your health and stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Public confused by conflicting guidance

People are questioning why children in modified Stage 2 regions are allowed to go to school, remain indoors with many other students while not being required to wear a mask, yet are not encouraged to trick or treat outdoors with their families.

“There is incredible and indefensible hypocrisy in cancelling a single night of low risk children trick-or-treating outdoors,” said Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, Associate Professor of family medicine at University of Ottawa.

“While simultaneously allowing high risk seniors and other adults to congregate, daily if desired, for hours at a time, in still open houses of worship,” added Freedhoff. “While also permitting dancers to attend maskless indoor dance classes.”