Trick or treating banned in lockdown areas

[Orangeblossom7777]

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/hallowe-en-divide-as-trick-or-treating-banned-in-coronavirus-hotspots-jqx2r56kn

"Children in lockdown areas should not go trick-or-treating this Hallowe’en, Downing Street has said.

Going from door to door would break rules against households mixing that are in place across most of the north of England as well as in Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Wales, No 10 suggested.

In other parts of the country parents face fines if children go trick-or-treating in groups of more than six, which potentially includes the person answering the door, officials said.

Boris Johnson’s deputy spokesman said it was “very clear that households should not mix” when asked about trick-or-treating.

The geographical differences in how children can enjoy Hallowe’en are the latest consequence of Mr Johnson’s strategy of containing the virus in hotspot areas to avoid tougher restrictions for the rest of the country."

My kids are all grownup and don't gonow although they did dress right up tonage 18 when they were still at home to answer the door and hand out sweets.
Th, I thinking a bit daft to go trick or treating this year. It's not really a clever thing to do because of the risks involved.

Why not get the kids dressed up go on a "spooky" walk in the dark, get some sweets and treats in yourself and play some games where they win some sweets at home.
Yep, it's not the same but it could still be fun for the kids, they get sweets and get to dress up. All with no increased risk of any cross infection.

Sadlybmuch as I love to normally get involved despite no kids at home anymore, I won't be this year. I think it's a bit irresponsible when you can plan ahead and easily have alternative Halloween fun with your kids in the safety of your own home.

Trick or treating is fine tbh; just don't go anywhere that's not obviously welcoming trick-or-treaters.

We will not be doing it this year however I will still get my children dressed up, let them decorate the house and we will do a treasure hunt at home with sweets/popcorn as the prize and have a movie night.

But your not mixing household's standing on someone's doorstep. Haven't the kids been through enough this year already?

All our sweets are in cauldrons anyway, always have been.. I love halloween and we really go to town on the Dec's, I'd hate that the children were missing out again.

However, I will state that our village is small and the kids are already in primary/secondary bubbles so our trick or treater traffic won't be as heavy as the built up areas.

I assumed nobody would be doing it this year, seems obvious you can't give out treats. I was wondering about individual roads having the kids do a distanced costume parade, walking only in their own household groups with an adult. Parents can then supply whatever sweets are wanted.

@NotAKaren

It's not difficult, just give trick or treating a miss for this year.

Yup

Halloween, as it is NOW, with the mountains of plastic Poundland crap etc is an American import.

It is perfectly possible to celebrate at home, carve pumpkins, play games, have treats watch a scary movie. Absolutely unnecessary during a pandemic to go around knocking on doors collecting sweets.

OP, it’s really not confusing. Lockdown area - don’t go trick or treating, not lockdown area - no groups over 6. But why the f* you’d want to go trick or treating this year is mind boggling.

Idiocy.

Apart from the fact that it’s totally unnecessary and stupid it’s just so inconsiderate. I’ll be livid if anyone knocks on my elderly relatives doors this year, however much fun it is for the kids.

I am hoping it is officially banned otherwise my kids will probably be the only ones in their class not doing it. As people will just go anyway so as not to let their kids miss out

I went to Asda and B&M last night and they are actively encouraging people to trick or treat and have parties by selling all of the outfits etc. I think that is wrong they are putting profits before health.

Should be banned everywhere.

As should all forms of cold calling.

People do not need strangers knocking on their doors for any reason, unless it's to deliver a parcel or because there's an emergency.

Guising is what my grandmother from Northumberland called it and she was born in 1899.

@Claire926

I went to Asda and B&M last night and they are actively encouraging people to trick or treat and have parties by selling all of the outfits etc. I think that is wrong they are putting profits before health.

Full aisle of tat in Home Bargains yesterday. We've been under restrictions since July.

It's no big deal if kids can't go trick or treating for one year.

People can dress up but not go trick or treating so I don't think retailers are being irresponsible

Personally I don't think anyone should be trick or treating. Halloween parties with your support bubble or small parties that obey the Rule of Six (if you're in England) is fine imo

It is perfectly possible to celebrate at home, carve pumpkins, play games, have treats watch a scary movie.

Exactly. It's definitely not necessary to leave home and certainly not necessary to knock on others' doors!

And just because retailers are selling this stuff doesn't mean you have to buy it. Or buy some and use it at home WiFi your family. Dress up and watch a scary movie together?

@Claire926

I went to Asda and B&M last night and they are actively encouraging people to trick or treat and have parties by selling all of the outfits etc. I think that is wrong they are putting profits before health.

Not at all most people are going to do the pumpkin trail or celebrate at home. I have been buying lots of Halloween bits. Mine still want decorations and costumes.

Sorry with (not wifi)

I don’t know anyone with a brain that would have gone trick or treating this year. Surely that’s obvious.

I can see why it needs to be spelt out and agree it’s not the best idea this year, but I also understand peoples disappointment, it’s another in a long line of small things that people look forward to just not happening.

This. And it’s ok for people to feel disappointed that their children will be disappointed (yet again).

@Orangeblossom7777

Again a confusing and divisive message...

Why is it?

Are you in a lockdown area where the rules state no household mixing?
Yes.
Don't go round knocking on people's doors, taking to them and acquiring sweets from them.

Are you in a lockdown area where the rules state no household mixing?
No
You can go trick or treating but don't go in groups larger than 4 or 5.

Simple.

I have no intention of going trick or treating but I don’t really see how it’s the same as “mixing” households. It’s more like delivering parcels than going for a dinner party.

So pleased. I hate Halloween and hate trick or treating even more. My son has never done it and never will, and we don't join in any Halloween related things at all. Hopefully we won't have any knocks at the door (that get ignored anyway).