CDC discourages Halloween trick-or-treating due to COVID-19

NEW YORK - It's bad news for the kids. New guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is discouraging Halloween trick-or-treating as a "high-risk" activity for spreading viruses.

The CDC says many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk during the coronavirus pandemic according to guidance published on Monday evening.

They including traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door, having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in parking lots, and attending crowded costume parties held indoors.

CDC abruptly removed guidance on coronavirus airborne transmission

The CDC also says indoor haunted houses and hayrides are also high-risk activities.

The health agency says there are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween.

These lower-risk activities can be safe alternatives:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house