Tag Archives: hallowe’en

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Dr. Kieran Moore, Provincial MOH, provides advice on celebrating Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en and Remembrance Day.

Dr. Kieran Moore says celebrating Thanksgiving indoors and unmasked with a fully vaccinated group is “absolutely appropriate”. However, it is important to continue following good public health practices.

If you choose to host an in-person gathering:

  • do not exceed the gathering limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • have the fewest number of people possible at your gathering
  • use outdoor spaces whenever possible
  • provide all the necessary supplies, including hand sanitizer, soap and water
  • open windows, if possible
  • clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
  • ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • make a list of guests attending in case your local public health unit needs it for contact tracing
  • remind people of public health advice to follow during the event
  • wash your hands before and frequently when preparing and serving food
  • have everyone wash their hands before and after eating

If you choose to attend an in-person gathering:

  • you should not attend if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild
  • wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the event
  • consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

When to wear face coverings

Regardless of where you are, you can wear a face covering and physically distance if you feel it is right for you, especially if you or others are immunocompromised or at high-risk of severe disease or exposure to COVID-19covid 19. 

Indoors

When gathering indoors:

  • with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, you may consider removing your face covering if everyone is comfortable
  • with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance

Outdoors

When gathering outdoors:

  • with a group of fully vaccinated individuals, no face covering or physical distancing is necessary
  • with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccination status is unknown, you should consider wearing a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained

Celebrating Hallowe’en

If you trick-or-treat door-to-door:

  • stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • trick-or-treat outdoors as much as possible
  • be creative and build the face covering into your costume. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering. 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.
  • do not crowd doorsteps – take turns one at a time
  • do not sing or shout for your treats
  • keep interactions brief with those giving out treats
  • use hand sanitizer often, especially before and after handling your face covering, after touching frequently touched surfaces, when you arrive home from trick-or-treating, and before and after handling or eating treats
  • there is no need to clean or disinfect pre-packaged treats

If trick-or-treating indoors, maintain physical distancing as much as possible and wear a face covering, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.

If you choose to give out treats:

  • do not participate in Halloween festivities if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • keep interactions with trick-or-treaters short and encourage them to move along after receiving their treat from you
  • consider wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained
  • consider including the face covering as part of your costume if you are dressing up
  • give out only purchased and packaged treats
  • do not ask trick-or-treaters to sing or shout for their treats
  • clean your hands often throughout the evening using soap and water or with hand sanitizer

Recognizing Remembrance Day

If attending a Remembrance Day memorial event:

  • stay home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
  • wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained or is required
  • wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently
  • consider participating virtually or not attending the event if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19covid 19

If you chose to sell poppies in-person:

  • wear a face covering
  • have hand sanitizer and use it regularly
  • consider not selling if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease and/or exposure to COVID-19
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door to door trick or treating cancelled in westport this hallowe’en

The issue of Hallowe’en in the Village of Westport has been discussed by Council on three different occasions this fall. At the September 15 Committee of the Whole meeting, I asked members of Council to speak with their constituents before the October 6, 2020 Council meeting to learn any concerns by local residents and businesses. At that Council meeting, members reported hearing the strong message that door to door trick or treating was not supported during COVID-19 and the decision was taken to cancel this activity in Westport for this year.

Council reconsidered this resolution at the October 20, 2020 Special Meeting of Council, and the result of the debate did not change – the original decision of council would stand and door to door trick or treating would be cancelled.

The decision was difficult for council and for the members of the public who had plans to head out in Westport on Saturday night. This is the first issue in my time as Mayor that has been considered and reconsidered. I want to assure you that the decision was not taken lightly.

You can watch all three debates on the Village of Westport You Tube channel.

Please call if you have questions or concerns. 273-9195

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Hallowe’en – trick/treating on the council agenda for tuesday, october 20

As many of you are aware, Westport Council took the decision at its October 6 Council Meeting to cancel door to door trick/treating for this year due to the rising numbers of COVID-19. Prior to that meeting, unsuccessful attempts were made to learn of any guidelines from Chief Medical Officer Dr D Williams and the Ministry of Health.

Councillors had consulted with many residents prior to the October 6 meeting and it was a difficult, but unanimous decision.

On Tuesday, October 13, Dr P Stewart, MOH for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit provided some guidelines for trick/treating. As her guidelines have been taken into consideration throughout COVID-19, the matter will be on the Council agenda for Tuesday, October 20.

Since Council’s decision has already been taken, the Procedural By-law requires a two-stage process to debate it again. The first stage is called “reconsideration” – essentially this means that members of Council must agree by a majority vote to bring the matter back onto the table. If that motion carries, then the issue of door to door trick/treating will be discussed and voted on. The passing of the reconsideration motion is not an indication of how the motion on trick/treating will be decided.

I encourage you to contact a member of Council if you have any comments.

You can watch the Council meetings on live stream by clicking on the Village You Tube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-fs2y1g5jXLiioR0KdDgbA

For further information contact CAO Paul Snider  psnider@villageofwestport.ca 613-273-2191

or rjones@villageofwestport.ca 613-273-9195

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It will be an especially scaaaary night in the village this Hallowe’en

Thanks to the many people who have decorated their haunted houses with ghouls, ghosts, witches and our very own Game Of Thrones!!!!  Rain or shine – the kids and parents will be out later today to ‘trick or treat’.  Have fun finding these outstanding haunted houses.

Please wear bright clothing and drive carefully and watch out for our children.  Be safe everyone.

Hallowe'en GOT

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Where else but in Westport???

We have just experienced another exceptional example of what it means to live in Westport. Where else does the best day in October land on the 31st?  Where else do over 100 kids knock on the door for a trick or treat – and all do it wearing creative costumes…and with a joke or riddle?  Where else is there an adult close by for every child?  And, seriously, where else do so many people join the fun and turn their homes into haunted house?

Westport … our Village, our community.  Thank you for another scary, busy Hallowe’en.