As the traditional Halloween day quickly approaches on Sunday, October 31, many citizens have questions regarding Halloween activities this year. In the Douglas city limits, trick-or-treating should take place between the hours of 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Homeowners participating in candy distribution are urged to turn porch lights on. If distributing candy, homeowners should wear gloves and masks. It is also recommended that children not be allowed to touch containers filled with candy.
In order to minimize traffic in the Golf Club neighborhood, traffic will flow one-way on October 31, during trick or treating hours. Homeowners should make arrangements to travel to their homes based on traffic flow in the neighborhood from 6pm-9pm and follow directions of the police officers directing traffic. The Douglas Police Department asks that parents do not allow their kids to be out past 9:00pm so that residents in participating neighborhoods will not be disturbed past nine o’clock. As a precaution, prior to trick or treating, parents may wish to go to the GBI sex offender website, http://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/Sort_Public/OffenderSearchResults.aspx to be familiar with the residences of registered sex offenders.
Homeowners should turn off their porch lights at 9pm, as a way to discourage late trick-or-treating. Drivers are urged not to impede the flow of traffic on neighborhood streets. Halloween participants are asked to show courtesy and respect to neighborhoods. Also, motorists are advised not to impede traffic flow by parking vehicles on public streets and sidewalks. The Police Department also asks drivers not to park on the grass and in the yards of homeowners. Motorists may be cited for violations.
“We strongly recommend parents follow CDC guidelines for trick or treating,” says City Manager Charlie Davis. “We do not want to see our COVID-19 numbers increase following Halloween.”
Any person who has COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, should not participate with in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
For alternative ways to celebrate Halloween and other holidays safely this year, visit the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html.