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Trick-or-treat ... from a car seat
With health guideline recommendations against trick-or-treating in Los Angeles County to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, families are turning to Halloween drive-thrus where costumed and masked actors entertain from at least 6-feet away.
Cars drive through the pumpkin tunnel at Haunt O'Ween in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 15, 2020.
Los Angeles tried banning trick-or-treating this year and putting the kibosh on Halloween parties and carnivals and haunted houses, as well. But it changed course after a public outcry, and the new guidance says going door to door is "not recommended" as "it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing" and "because sharing food is risky."
A baby in an Elmo costume looks at the Halloween-themed houses at Haunt O'Ween.
According to Los Angeles county, online parties or contests, such as pumpkin-carving or costume contests, are allowed, as are car parades and drive-thru attractions. Drive-thru events can also include distribution of "treat bags," but they are limited to "commercially packaged non-perishable treats,'' and recipients must remain in their vehicles.
A child wearing a mask opens his bag to receive candy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning parents not to let their children take part in "traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door."
A child in a "Slender Man" costume waves from a car's sunroof.
"Attending crowded costume parties held indoors" and "going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming" are also on the CDC's list of high-risk activities as millions of children gear up for Halloween on Oct. 31.
A child smiles as she looks away from skeleton figures.
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