Gov. Phil Murphy announced Halloween is “still on” in New Jersey, but coronavirus measures will be in place to maintain safety during the annual event, NJ.com reported.
“As far as this moment in time, Halloween’s still on in New Jersey,” Murphy said on Wednesday.
Murphy continued, “We’re gonna have to do things very carefully."
“I’m sure we’re gonna have protocols that we’ll come to. And God willing, the virus stays under control.”
Murphy didn't go into details about what safety measures would be in effect, but his press secretary said the governor "strongly believes" children in New Jersey should be allowed to trick or treat in October.
“New Jersey’s children have faced challenging circumstances this year due to the ongoing pandemic, but Governor Murphy strongly believes that they deserve the opportunity to enjoy traditions like Halloween and trick-or-treating this October, with proper public health and safety guidelines in place,” press secretary Alyana Alfaro Post said in a statement to The Post.
In Los Angeles County, however, children will have "trunk-or-treating," where they go from car to car for candy rather than homes. The county health department has banned trick or treating, haunted houses and festivals, as well as any gatherings at homes with members who aren't a part of the household.
And in New York City, the iconic Greenwich Village Halloween Parade was canceled on Wednesday, along with the city's biggest Halloween bash, Hell’s Kitchen’s “Monster Ball."
There's still no word yet whether New York City will officially ban trick or treating.
“We’ll have an announcement on this soon, stay tuned,” a City Hall spokesman told The New York Post. “Nothing to report today.”
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