Have a Covid-safe Halloween

The state government has advised trick-or-treat can go ahead this Halloween, but urged everyone to stay Covid safe.

Here on Phillip Island, there's a great way to get involved, and still keep the spooky occasion safe for everyone.

A Facebook group, Phillip Island Halloween Houses has over 800 members, and lets fellow trick-or-treater know where Halloween-loving houses are located on the island.

To keep things safe, and to respect those houses that don't want to participate, the group tells its members not to knock on doors of houses that don't have decorations.

This Sunday, parents and kids in Halloween costumes will be taking to the streets in search of lollies and treats.

So if you're keen to have some visits from ghosts and ghouls this Halloween, make sure you put out some decorations - even just a few balloons - so our local trick-or treaters know where to find you.

CovidSafe Halloween tips

The health department recommends wearing a face mask with your costume, but said a costume mask that is part of your Halloween costume is not a substitute for a face mask. Consider making your own mask and decorating it.

Keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and people you don’t live with. This means no hugging or kissing when greeting people. Don’t share food or drinks.

Since restrictions eased on Friday night (at 80 per cent double dose), you can have 10 people to your house, or meet in a public place with up to 30 other people.

The health department recommends several different ways to safely trick or treat:

• Do a Halloween scavenger hunt by giving children a list of Halloween-themed things to look for as they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance. Just like eye-spy! Outdoor limits apply to group sizes.
• Stay in small household groups (for example, a supervising adult with children from the same household) rather than groups of young people together.
• Maintain physical distancing. Stay 1.5 metres away from people you don't live with.
• Only accept individually wrapped sweets or treat bags.
• Carry hand sanitiser with you and use it often, especially after touching common surfaces.
• If a particular house looks busy, move onto the next house or come back later.
• Coronavirus is still with us and if you do trick or treat, you need to stay safe.

The health department recommends “contactless” trick-or treat, by putting candy or treats available outside your home and not using communal bowls, instead putting individually wrapped lollies in bags.

If you have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) get tested and stay at home. By staying at home this Halloween, you help to keep your friends, family and community safe.

For the latest health update, visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus