On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine said that determinations about trick-or-treating will be made by communities, hopefully with consultation with local health departments.
The governor noted that some health guidelines, like wearing masks, might not be an issue for things like Halloween costumes. However, hayrides and haunted houses are more problematic.
“Halloween celebrations this year will not look like those in years past,” DeWine said. “Face coverings must be worn, social distancing should be practiced, large groups should be avoided. And stay home if you are sick.”
Bean told the News-Sun that he has been in contact with the village mayors in Champaign County and “we pretty much all do this together.”
“It (Beggar’s Night) wasn’t an issue," Bean added.
Village officials in Mechanicsburg and St. Paris said that they are having Beggar’s Night on Oct. 31.
Village of North Lewisburg Fiscal Officer Jennifer McCombs said, “At this time the council has not voted. We are looking to go towards what the county decides as a whole. We won’t make that finalized decision until our next council meeting.”
The village’s next council meeting is Oct. 13.
“They (residents) just need to be prudent and make sure their kids stay safe, but go out and have a good time have fun,” Bean said.
On Friday, Lance D. Himes, interim director of the Ohio Department of Health, released Halloween guidance, which is designed to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
During trick-or-treating, parents are encouraged to limit the number of houses their children visit, have children stay as far from treat-givers as possible, wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes and allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats.
Other Halloween recommendations include holding a drive-through or drive-in trick-or-treat event, leaving treats in the mailboxes of friends and neighbors, or decorating your home and hide treats as an alternative to trick-or-treating.
The guidance will be reassessed and updated as necessary in the weeks leading up to Oct. 31, according to a release from the ODH.
The News-Sun has reached out to Woodstock, another village in Champaign County, but has not heard back.
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