Robert and Monica Ruiz put finishing touches on two inflatable Halloween decorations installed on their front lawn on Oct. 5 in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
“Halloweek” is back in Chicago, the mayor’s office announced Tuesday.
For a second time during the pandemic, COVID-19-safe trick-or-treating will continue in the city along with other spooky-themed activities, according to a news release from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The city’s COVID-19 precautions recommend that those passing out candy be masked and use hand sanitizer.
Residents are also encouraged to download signs or leave a light on signaling they are participating in Halloween “safely,” the news release said. Unvaccinated trick-or-treaters should wear face masks if unable to maintain social distance, and groups should stay small and not congregate outside.
“Throughout this pandemic, we have learned that we can be open and do the things we love while staying safe,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “That is why I am thrilled to kick off our 2021 Halloweek celebration.”
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Dr. Jennifer Pisano, an infectious disease specialist at University of Chicago Medicine, commended how the muted celebrations rolled out last year and said she had similar hope for this year’s Halloween.
“We can be a little bit less nervous and more confident,” Pisano said.
She added that unlike last Halloween, a couple months before the first coronavirus vaccine won emergency approval, teenagers and adults can take extra precautions by getting the shot.
“Having all the adults vaccinated is so important,” Pisano said. “All adults should be vaccinated right now. If they’re not, they should definitely be wearing face masks, especially since they’re encountering a lot of kids who aren’t vaccinated.”
Other COVID-19 safety tips from Pisano: avoid indoor gatherings, make sure children are wearing tight-fitting cloth or medical masks — not merely Halloween masks — and try innovative methods of handing out candy such as constructing chutes again.
“People were very creative about last year, and a lot of that was appreciated and made a really memorable time trick-or-treating,” Pisano said.
And, though it may be hard to resist, children should wait their turn to pick out candy one-by-one instead of sticking multiple hands in the bucket at once, she added.
The city festivities will start at noon Oct. 23 with a parade in Washington Park called the “UPSIDE DOWN.” And on Oct. 30, another parade, Arts in the Dark on State Street, will take place at night. The events will be run by Lightfoot’s office, Blommer Chocolate Company and Luma8.
Throughout the week, there will also be other community-focused programming — which includes candy. Blommer will create 10,000 Halloween bags with treats that will be distributed at these events. Some of them will have “golden tickets” to redeem a 10-pound Blommer chocolate bar.
More information is available here.
ayin@chicagotribune.com
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