State Health Officials Recommend Against Usual Trick-Or-Treating

Wisconsin health officials are recommending against trick-or-treating as usual this Halloween because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state Department of Health Services says going house-to-house and having in-person contact is not a good idea. If individual communities decide to go ahead with traditional trick-or-treating, health officials recommend leaving individual treat bags on the porch for children to pick up.

Some Wisconsin communities have scheduled trick-or-treat times as usual, with suggestions for taking precautions. Other communities are conferring with their local health departments before making a decision.

At least one community in Wisconsin, Antigo, has already canceled trick-or-treating.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance for Halloween and other holidays. For Halloween, the agency discourages door-to-door trick-or-treating and costume masks and parties.