Welcome to “Spook” – with Hallowe’en just around the corner, the District notes how this year might look a little bit different

 

Thursday, October 22, 2020 – Hallowe’en may look different this year, and whether or not you choose to celebrate public health has provided suggestions on how you can celebrate safety and if you are choosing not to welcome trick or treaters, reminders on how to best let your neighborhood know. Recognizing the festivities may not be the same this year, the District is pleased to support the Sooke Harmony Project host a Drive-in Movie at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex. Here are some recommendations from public health, movie event details, and important information from the District of Sooke Fire Department and your local RCMP detachment. Together, we can ensure a fun and safe event for the entire community!

General advice during the season

No matter how you are celebrating, always assess your personal level of risk, and take the following actions to help protect yourself and others:

Stay at home and away from others if you or someone in your household:

  • has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19
  • has been in close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19
  • feel sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19
  • returned from travel outside Canada within the past 14 days
  • are in quarantine or isolation

Seasonal Drive-in Movie hosted by Sooke Harmony Project

With support from The District, Sooke Harmony Project presents The Nightmare Before Christmas, a drive-in movie experience at SEAPARC on Saturday, October 31st. Tickets must be purchased in advance, details are available at www.harmonyprojectsooke.ca/.

Firework Permits

The determination of the issuing of permits is made the week of Hallowe’en. Pending weather, firework permits will be sold for $20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 28th and 29th, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on October 30th at the Sooke Municipal Hall, located at 2205 Otter Point Road (debit or cash payments accepted at the municipal hall; cash only accepted at the fire hall).

Firework permits are issued as per the District of Sooke Fire Regulation Bylaw, bylaw no. 286.

Reminders from your local RMCP detachment:

  • Dress to be seen if trick-or-treating – wear lighter coloured clothing, add reflective clothing or tape to costumes
  • Sunset will occur around 5:45 p.m. Make use of flashlights or glow sticks is highly recommended
  • Motorists are reminded to use extra caution with additional pedestrian traffic

Trick-or-treating – advice from public health:

  • keep the festivities outdoors
  • when appropriate, public health suggests wear a non-medical mask or face covering
  • be creative and build the mask into your costume – public health advises that a costume mask is not a substitute for a non-medical mask or face covering, and that a costume mask should not be worn over a non-medical mask or face covering because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe
  • trick-or-treat with your consistent in-person bubble
  • don’t gather on or crowd doorsteps
  • take turns one at a time and stay 2 metres away from others
  • keep interactions brief with those giving out treats
  • avoid using your hands to ring doorbells or knock on doors, and avoid high-touch surfaces and objects
  • don’t sing or shout for your treats
  • only trick-or-treat at places that are clearly celebrating (signs of participation include a lit porch light, a lit jack-o-lantern or decorations)
  • clean your hands often, especially before and after handling your non-medical mask or face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats
  • help younger children understand how to wash their hands properly with a video on handwashing heroes
  • there is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats; however, it is important clean your hands before and after handling packaging, and before eating treats
  • if you or someone in your household is feeling unwell, stay home and away from others

Giving out treats – advice from public health:

  • If you or someone in your household are feeling unwell, your household shouldn’t participate in Halloween festivities.
  • Indicate you aren’t participating by:
    • turning off porch lights
    • not lighting a jack-o-lantern
    • not putting out decorations
    • not answering the door
    • putting a friendly sign on your porch or door that indicates you are not participating this year.
  • To help maintain and encourage physical distancing, you may want to:
    • sit outside your door or in your laneway to welcome trick-or-treaters
    • if you’re unable to sit outside to hand out treats you should clean and disinfect doorbells and knobs, handrails, and any other high touch surface often during the evening
    • keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you.
  • Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when physical distancing of 2 m cannot be consistently maintained
  • if you’re dressing up, consider including it as part of your costume.
  • Don’t leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab.
  • Consider using tongs, a hockey stick, or other similar tools to hand out treats.
  • Give out only purchased and pre-packaged treats.
  • Don’t ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats.
  • Clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water and washing for 20 seconds or with hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. The use of gloves isn’t recommended.

Annual reminders


Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634