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Recommendations on How to Celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos While Preventing Spread of COVID-19 
Recommendations on How to Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos While Preventing Spread of COVID-19
The Monterey County Health Department would like to remind residents that many Halloween and Día de los Muertos activities carry risk for spreading COVID-19. Combining safety measures can help reduce the risk of getting sick or spreading COVID-19 to others. As you plan Halloween and Día de los Muertos activities this year, the Monterey County Health Department recommends that everyone take the following steps to protect against COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated. Vaccines are our best protection against infection. All three vaccines currently available effectively reduce risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.
- Stay home if you are sick or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Do not attend celebrations or participate in activities if you feel sick, or if you are not vaccinated and have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, or if you have been told that you have COVID-19.
- Wear a face covering. People, even if vaccinated, can carry COVID-19 and pass it on to others without showing symptoms. Wearing a face covering when indoors helps to reduce transmission and protect people who are vulnerable to severe disease. A costume mask is not a substitute for a well-fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
- Celebrate outdoors and keep gatherings small. Circulating fresh air and setting chairs at least 6 feet apart helps reduce transmission.
- Take safety precautions when trick or treating. Avoid wearing a costume mask over a face mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Keep your distance from others. Take hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently.
- Monitor for signs and symptoms after holiday celebrations and activities. Watch for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days, particularly during days 3 to 7 when people are most likely to develop symptoms.
To find a testing or vaccination location near you, please visit www.montereycountycovid19.com or call 2-1-1.
Together, we can protect ourselves and those around us by implementing safety measures while celebrating.
