Prepare now for traditional Trick-or-Treating on Halloween at Fort Riley. The Army said on-post, residential trick-or-treating will be authorized from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Trusted Traveler program and visitor access will be temporarily suspended during those times to allow on-post residents to securely visit neighbors.
Follow these basic guidelines to safely enjoy Halloween 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic:Guidance for families participating in trick-or-treating:
• Trick-or-treat in family groups from the same household.
• Follow the KDHE recommended guidelines which include:
o Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home.
o Incorporate face coverings into costumes.
o Face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their cloth face covering without assistance.
o Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals while outside your home.
o Consider carrying sanitizing wipes to disinfect candy or other items accepted from homes. Or, sanitize items individually when you get home before consumption. Remember to also examine treats for choking hazards or tampering before eating them.
o Accept only commercially packaged, non-perishable items.
o Practice physical distancing.
o Always leave at least 6-feet of space between yourself and people not in your household.
o Do not crowd sidewalks, driveways, or porches.
o Wait until a porch or doorway is empty before approaching a home.
o Move aside on sidewalks and driveways to allow space between yourself and other trick-or-treaters.
o Keep a safe distance from cars - do not walk in the street.
Guidance for Homes Accepting Trick-or-Treaters:
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at regular intervals; hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be substituted if soap and water are not available.
• Regularly clean and sanitize frequently touched items such as door handles, door bells, and door knockers. Consider having sanitizing wipes by the door for quick access between trick-or-treaters.
• Distribute only commercially produced, non-perishable items to trick-or-treaters.
• Do not use “grab bowls”, where trick-or-treaters reach into a communal bowl to retrieve candy.
• Alternatively, make individual goodie bags for trick-or-treaters to pick up as they walk by. If your home has a fence, consider hanging individual goodie bags on the fence for trick-or-treaters to take as they walk by. Consider spacing items 6-feet apart on your porch, in your yard or on a table in your driveway with a sign advising trick-or-treaters to “Take 1”. Watch from a safe distance and replenish items as needed.
• Porch Light Off if you don’t want people to stop at your house. Parents need to respect this option and should also brief their children as well.
• When answering the door or coming into contact with trick-or-treaters, correctly wear a cloth face covering.