Coronavirus: What you can and can't do this Halloween

Trick-or-treating is off-limits to anyone living under Tier 3 restrictions, which limit meetings in outdoor private spaces, including front gardens.

If you're in a Tier 1 area, you can trick-or-treat under the rule of six, meaning if you go and knock on someone's door, you can't go in if there are more than six people.

Under Tier 2, you can't socialise inside somebody's home, so you'd have to stand outside in order to trick-or-treat.

The prime minister's official spokesman this week urged people to use their common sense.

Northern Ireland is in a four-week national lockdown, so indoor parties are out.

Apple-bobbing is also banned, according to Dr Gerry Waldron, head of health protection at the Public Health Agency (PHA).

He said: "We do not advise the tradition of bobbing for apples this year or going outside to trick-or-treat within the community. These are not safe practices this year (because) they increase the risk.

"Sharing of food and sweets can also spread the COVID-19 virus. Face-to-face interactions with older and vulnerable neighbours could put them at risk."

The official advice is to only celebrate with members of your own household this year, as households have been banned from mixing with a new set of guidelines set to be introduced on Monday.

There are additional measures in the central belt of Scotland, including the closure of pubs and restaurants.

Coming in the middle of a 17-day lockdown, Halloween will look very different in Wales this year.

Meeting people from other households, either indoors or outdoors, is not allowed. So, no parties and no trick-or-treating.

full of warnings that masks are essential. however...

30 Oct: Daily Mail: Is YOUR mask safe? New research shows some stop just seven per cent of bacteria amid ‘alarming’ variations between best and worst face coverings (and reveals why you should wash yours)
Which? tests highlighted differences among the face masks currently available
Masks available from Asda, John Lewis, Boots, Ocado and Asos were tested
Researchers studied how well they filter bacteria and how breathable they are
Best were NEQI reusable mask and Bags of Ethics Great British Designer mask
Etiquette, Termin8 Lightweight Breathable, and Asda White mask among worst
By AMIE GORDON and SEAN POULTER

A health alert has been issued over some reusable facemasks with evidence that some filter out just 7per cent of harmful bacteria.
The warning comes from consumer experts at Which? after a survey of 15 masks which suggest some offer little or no protection.
Three of the masks, available online and in the high street, were so flimsy that they have been issued with a ‘Don’t Buy’ rating...
Asda has pulled its face covering from sale as a result of the findings...

Masks with multiple layers were much more effective than single layer versions at filtering particles.
However, the fact they had more layers meant it was more difficult to breathe easily through them...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8896379/Is-mask-safe-New-research-shows-stop-just-seven-cent-bacteria.html

The Halloween we knew as kids is DEAD! (Joe Biden agrees).

AND, it should be.

COVID aside, It is just too dangerous these days. When I was a kid, the only thing you had to watch out for was apples with razor blades in them. (NEVER saw any). Throw out the apples and you were good to go. (C’mon man, who wants APPLES anyway).

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