Halloween treat a bit tricky this year in Markham due to COVID-19

#YorkCOVIDween: Pandemic scares up different ways of doing things in coronavirus hot spots

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 28, 2020
Heidi Riedner

Richard Young’s annual Legacy of Horror is widely regarded as one the best residential haunted houses around, featuring exhibits such as "CarnEVIL," "The Playroom," "Zombie Apocalypse," "Mad Science" and "Lockdown."

Many handmade props, designed, engineered and sculpted from scratch, have been stirring up horrific fun at his home in Markham for years.

The highly anticipated annual event usually attracts about 1,500 visitors, who are asked to make a donation to SickKids Hospital. Sponsors contribute candy and help with road closure costs, and volunteers offer on-site help.

This year, however, Young made the difficult decision to cancel due to the ongoing pandemic.
“As disappointing as this is for everyone, it is in the best interest of our family’s health and the safety to the community,” he said in a post on his event's website.

“We do not have reasonable facilities to provide proper social distancing and continuous disinfection of the haunt,” he added.

Young said he expects there will be a significant impact on how kids can safely trick-or-treat this year, as well.

Many parents are feeling uncertain about the traditional shelling out given the potential for increased virus transmission when collecting candy from door to door.

A recent poll conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies suggests that 52 per cent of parents won’t be letting the little ones loose in their neighbourhoods this year.

As for virus hot spots such as York Region, the province’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, recommended against trick-or-treating on Oct. 19.

Williams and Premier Doug Ford expressed concerns that children from different households would bunch up at front doors, trade candy and wipe their runny noses on what can be a cold night.

Liberal leader Steven Del Duca said the decision is “disappointing” for children in hot zones, but “probably the most prudent thing to do.”

But before speaking to Aurora and Newmarket business owners and politicians during an event on Oct. 15, Del Duca criticized Ford for dragging his feet on the matter.

“I think the challenge around Halloween is actually part of a much bigger concern – the lack of coherent, clear, consistent messaging from Doug Ford, from other public health leaders and politicians has been really troubling throughout the pandemic,” he said.

The region’s public health department waited until almost the eleventh hour for the province to provide direction on the witching hour, and is suggesting Halloween celebration alternatives to trick-or-treating.

Those include decorating at home to share the spooky spirit, hosting a virtual party to show off costumes, holding an Easter egg-type candy hunt or piñata-breaking event with people in your household, watching family-friendly Halloween movies and making fun treats.

Heinztman House is hosting a virtual pumpkin parade on Nov. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. so that Markham residents can celebrate Halloween together while apart. Submit up to three entries of a photo or video of your best jack-o'-lantern from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 for your chance to win a $50 grand prize Starbucks gift card or one of three $25 cards. Post on Instagram to #HHPumpkinParade and @heintzmanhouse or email info@theheintzmanhouse.ca.

Just how much a socially distanced All Hallows' Eve will impact one of the most lucrative "holidays" for the retail sector, including costume chain outlets like Spirit Halloween, remains to be seen, but independent shops were already having difficulty scaring up sales midmonth.

For example, Pam Beattie, the owner of Pammy's Costumes, said her business is usually extremely busy around this time of year, but because of COVID-19, she barely has any customers.

Halloween accounts for about $1.15 billion in sales across the country, according to the Retail Council of Canada, with most people spending at least $60 on everything from candy and costumes to pumpkins and decorations in holiday-related spending, second only to that of Christmas.

Maybe people could use their Halloween candy money for a great cause, Young suggests.

He is asking people, if they are able, to donate to the SickKids Foundation either directly or via his link to SickKids.

“They need our help now more than ever.”

As for trick-or-treating?

York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey said the provincial guidance is a recommendation, not an enforceable regulation bylaw.

However, gathering limits of 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors (which cannot be combined) and maintaining physical distancing applies in any scenario. Exceeding these limits could result in fines starting at $10,000 for the organizer and $750 for each guest, Casey said.

If you opt for trick-or-treating despite recommendations, public health advises you only go if you are free of COVID-19 symptoms, only travel with members of your direct household, stick to your own neighbourhood and line up at least two metres apart at doorsteps, incorporate face masks into your costume, use hand sanitizer between houses and wear a face mask and use tongs to hand out treats.