Ohio health dept. recommends canceling haunted houses, hayrides
While there is nothing mandatory in Halloween safety guidelines issued by the Ohio Department of Health, the recommendations are likely to put a scare into operators of several popular attractions.
The first recommendation listed in the guidance released Friday is that haunted houses and hayrides be canceled.
While not an order, the guideline says the cancelation is "strongly recommended," and that if they do go forward, they should be avoided.
For those events that do still take place, operators are asked to pre-sell tickets to keep capacity down, eliminate all common areas and have hand sanitizer available.
Haunted attractions in the Valley began preparations for opening weeks ago, before it was clear whether the state would offer any guidance at all. Those we spoke to last week said they were putting their own safety protocols in place in the absence of anything official.
The Canfield Scaregrounds, which open in October, said they would not have any of their "monsters" in hallways, but rather would be kept back away from the public. They will also require masks and social distancing.
Maniacs in the Woods in Trumbull county said they consulted with CDC guidelines and best practices from an online network of haunted houses who signed an online pledge to follow safety guidelines.
"It is what it is," said De Anna Fuchilla, Manager of Maniacs in the Woods. "We are just asking that everybody be patient with us this year. We're going through changes nobody has seen."
Fuchilla said the only safety guideline they will alter is implementing presale tickets.
Other recommendations in the brief document include not holding Halloween parties or turning them into online "virtual" events, wearing masks and participating in alternatives to trick-or-treating.
Some of the ideas provided include decorating your house and hiding treats outside, leaving treats in mailboxes or holding "drive-thru" trick or treat events with children wearing masks and costumes inside vehicles.
For parents who do choose to take part in traditional trick or treating with their kids, the department suggests wiping and sanitizing packages, avoiding homemade treats and consulting with a doctor if you believe your child may be at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Communities like Campbell and Austintown already announced they will move forward with regular trick-or-treating.
"It's easy. If you don't want trick-or-treaters at your house, don't turn your light on," said Jim Davis, Austintown Trustee. "If you dont want to send your child trick-or-treating, don't send them."
Anyone handing out candy is urged not to leave a bowl outside for kids to pick from and if they do, to accompany the bowl with hand sanitizer. One recommended alternative is hang candy from a fense or create a candy "slide" out of PVC pipe.
The complete guidance from the state of Ohio can be found here
