As we are all aware, there have been many sacrifices made in 2020 in an effort to limit the spread of the deadly Covid-19. Businesses have been shut down; social lives have been put on hold; concerts and sporting events in arenas packed with fans seem a thing of the past. We don’t get close to people we don’t live with, and we wear masks everywhere we go. So naturally a question that has been in the air this fall is, ‘What do we do about Halloween?’ Should we cancel trick or treating? Is this the time for children and parents to take to the streets and go door to door for candy? Is there a safe way to do it? This week the Freeport City Council answered at least one of those questions.
On the agenda this week was the adoption of Resolution #R-2020-56, “Resolution of the City of Freeport setting the date and hours for trick or treating in the city for 2020”. City Manager Randy Bukas presented the plan to move forward with trick or treating on Saturday, October 31, from 4:30 pm until 6 pm, with guidelines in place for those who choose to participate.
The 2020 Halloween trick or treating guidelines are as follows:
- Only approach houses with their front porch light on
- Masks shall be required for all participants including treaters, guardians, and candy-givers
- Gloves are recommended for all residents
- Maintain 6 feet social distancing and keep non-family groups to 5 people or fewer
- Those who have quarantined together may stay together
- Groups should not intermingle
- Avoid streets with large numbers of people
- Wash and sanitize hands often
- Sanitize all candy wrappers upon returning home
The Council voted 7 to 1 in favor of adopting the ordinance setting these rules for Halloween 2020. The one vote against came from Alderman Eric Borneman, who explained before the vote was taken the reason he would likely be voting no:
“I’ve been thinking about this for a couple days now, and if you brought up the idea four months ago about people going house to house with little children that would be considered a terrible idea. So I’m probably going to vote no just because I feel like – you know I don’t want to come off as a scrooge here and I know that’s the wrong holiday – but it just seems like such a bad idea in today’s day and age. If that offends someone, I’m sorry, but I just feel that maybe this year trick or treating could be one of the things that we sacrifice like we have been sacrificing all year.”– Alderman Eric Borneman
Trick or treating is on in Freeport this year despite one Councilman’s concerns. Let us know what your thoughts are. Will you be trick or treating? Handing out candy? Or will you be shutting off the porch light and staying in for the night?
Nick Nunez is the City Hall Correspondent for The Voice of Freeport and his porch light will be off on Halloween.
As the pandemic clearly is not under control, I think the city council’s decision is irresponsible. I will not be encouraging imprudent behavior so will be leaving our lights off.
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