Halloween will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 31. (Courtesy photo)
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
Public Affairs
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD -- The U.S. Army Hawaii command team has fully collaborated on procedures we should follow during Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, and the State of Hawaii have made recommendations too.
Trick-or-treating is authorized Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. in all U.S. Army Hawaii community housing areas. Residents can expect to see additional military police conducting walking patrols and manning gates that evening.
Residents should follow these COVID-19 safety and prevention protocols:
- Groups no greater than five people, unless from the same household.
- All those participating in Halloween activities, must wear masks and maintain six feet distance between other groups. Any individual over the age of two is required to wear a mask. Note, a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of fabric that covers your mouth and nose.
- “One-way trick-or-treating” is highly recommend for Halloween activities in order to limit interaction. This includes having candy readily available outdoors for children to grab-and-go, either in the driveway or at the edge of the yard while wearing a mask. Trick-or-treaters should not come to the front door of any house for candy.
- Use of hand sanitizer/hand washing is highly recommended after visiting each house and/or passing out candy to groups.
- Families are encouraged to trick-or-treat in their own neighborhood (i.e., within their block).
- If you choose not to participate in Halloween activities, turn off your porch lights.
- Post is still closed to visitors for Halloween.
Off-post guidance is available from both the City & County of Honolulu at https://www.oneoahu.org/faqs/#halloween, and the State of Hawaii at https://hawaiicovid19.com/safe-halloween/.
“Trunk-or-treat” events are considered high-risk for spreading the COVID-19 virus. Units are encouraged to develop creative and innovative lower risk activities for Halloween (such as a drive-through event where candy is distributed).
For any Halloween event, battalion command teams will ensure that the proper COVID mitigation measures are develop and strictly enforced. At a minimum, activities will incorporate social distancing measures, group activity size restrictions, and hygiene protocols as part of their plans (not an all-inclusive list of considerations).
Residents are reminded that guidance may change as the local situation changes.
Note, the Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic will X-ray Halloween candy from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Radiology. Walk-ins are allowed on Sunday, Nov. 1, in Radiology.
Remember, a safe Halloween is a happy Halloween.