MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With Halloween fast approaching, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering a number of tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially during festive activities like trick-or-treating.

From a Wednesday, October 20 press release, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive: “Because many of our young Michiganders are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, we urge everyone to take precautions to participate safely.”

Steps all eligible persons can take include receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, staying home when feeling sick, wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose, washing hands often, and using hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.

The MDHHS also gave a number of other suggestions while celebrating;

For trick-or-treaters and their parents:

Stay outdoors for activities, especially if participants are unvaccinated
Trick-or-treat in small groups
If indoors or in crowded outdoor settings, wear a face mask covering both mouth and nose
Use a cloth mask, not just a costume mask, but do not put a costume mask over top of a cloth mask if it causes difficulty breathing.

For homeowners:
Distribute candy on a table to eliminate direct contact
Hand out candy in an open space where distancing is possible, rather than the front door
Consider a neighborhood costume parade; it is an easy way for children to maintain their social distance.

In Meridian Township, trick-or-treating is scheduled from 6 pm to 8pm on Sunday, October 31st.