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Ottawa
Thinking of travelling to Gatineau to trick-or-treat? Don't do it, says
Ottawa mayor
Ottawa's mayor says it's not worth the risk to travel outside Ottawa
for a bit of candy during the pandemic.
Social Sharing
Most health units also discouraging trick-or-treating at home or elsewhere
Natalia Goodwin · CBC News · Posted: Oct 29, 2020 4:00 AM ET | Last
Updated: October 29
People trick-or-treating on Halloween in the rain in Ottawa in 2019.
Ottawa's medical officer of health is confident that residents of the
city will do the right thing on Oct. 31. (Justin Tang)
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comments
Ottawa's mayor wants to send a clear message for those families who are
thinking about travelling across the river or elsewhere to go
trick-or-treating — just don't do it.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is strongly recommending people not go
trick-or-treating this year because the spread of the coronavirus is
too high to do anything not considered essential — but in places
like Gatineau, it's still allowed.
"Simply going over there and thinking that's going to be safer, you're
wrong, because they are in category red as we are," Ottawa Mayor Jim
Watson said during a virtual media conference Wednesday.
"It's tough news for kids to hear. They look forward to getting dressed
up, they look forward to going trick-or-treating, but is it really
worth putting a child at risk for ... $10 or $12 in candy? I don't
think so."
Rules in Gatineau
It isn't free for all on the Quebec side.
Children must stay in their neighbourhood with members of their
households, not enter people's homes nor shout for their candy.
It is recommended to follow physical distancing and hand washing rules
and to quarantine the candy for 24 hours before eating it.
On top of that, people are not supposed to leave or go to red zones
such as Gatineau, Chelsea, Wakefield and Quyon except for essential
reasons, such as work.
OPH has also asked residents not to leave the city if they don't have
to.
* Quebec children can enjoy Halloween this year — but with some
conditions
With all of the rules, some in the community are questioning whether
it's worth the risk.
"I'm getting the sense that knowing that we're in a red zone here
… people are paying attention to the public health announcements," said
Larry Prickett, president of La Croisée Community Association.
Prickett said the association recently had its annual general meeting
where a majority of people in attendance said they wouldn't be doing a
normal Halloween this year. About 30 people out of more than 200
members attended.
A house decorated for Halloween in Ottawa in mid-October. The mayor
wants to send a clear message for Halloween this year — just don't do
it. (Jean Delisle/CBC)
Top doctor confident people will do right thing
Most other eastern Ontario health units are also discouraging
trick-or-treating, strongly encouraging families to find other ways to
celebrate.
If they feel they must go out, people should follow guidelines
including staying outside in their neighbourhood with just the people
they live with, not leaving bowls of candy out for children to grab
from and keeping distanced and clean with a non-medical mask.
The medical officer of health for the Kingston, Ont., area has said its
local situation means people can feel comfortable trick-or-treating if
they follow the advice above, but to respect people if they don't put
out candy.
* How to keep Halloween happy, even in a pandemic
* How 2 spooky local businesses are dealing with COVID-19
Meanwhile, Ottawa's medical officer of health is confident that
residents of the city will do the right thing on Oct. 31.
"What I see is that, you know, people in Ottawa are making good choices
to do things that are less risky," Dr. Vera Etches said.
"I've been encouraged to see different communities creating new
Halloween traditions and sharing candy in new ways."
We know #Halloween is a special time of year. This year we are
asking you to make memories in a different way and avoiding trick or
treating. Check out Dr @VeraEtche
s #HalloWise ideas to help limit the spread of #Covid19 in our community. For more info: https://t.co/KSfL1EiMM2 pic.twitter.com/q2E0Q8cNqZ
—@ottawahealth
About the Author
Natalia Goodwin
Journalist
Natalia is a multi-platform journalist in Ottawa. She has also worked
for CBC in P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
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