It seems the concept of Halloween is scarier than usual this year, not because ghosts and ghouls have somehow become more frightening but because of another, largely invisible force, that of COVID-19.

With the haunted holiday now just over a week away, there are many differing opinions on how the evening of October 31st should look.

For Melanie Cloutier, the concept of walking from door to door yelling “trick-or-treat” does not seem like the wisest move.

“I work with the public, and my mother has cancer. It isn’t about me or my children but other people’s health," she states. "It isn’t worth the risk. I will do my part, however I can, to protect others.”

Cloutier does not begrudge those who still want to do something fun with their kids and suggests that there are other ways to enjoy the spookiest day of the year.

“We can just as easily ‘celebrate’ Halloween by doing a treasure hunt, carving pumpkins, and watch scary movies," she offers. "Staying home doesn’t mean no Halloween, it simply means we have to be creative.” in how we celebrate.”

Eve Wiebe says her family is also prioritizing safety but in a slightly different way. Wiebe has three young children and says she does intend on taking them trick-or-treating.

“I plan on taking my kids out for a night to try to bring some fun and normal back to this upsidedown time,” she states. “I believe with the parents watching kids and all working together that the kids can still have fun and enjoy the evening.”

Wiebe is not ignorant of the added risks this year and says her cohort of costume-clad kids will be taking precautions. She says mask-wearing and physical distancing will be a “must” for her posse. Additionally, she will be sanitizing the candy wrappers and setting them aside for a few days prior to consumption to ensure they are safe. Wiebe notes she has even bought a few extra treats that the kids can enjoy munching on sugary snacks while the fruits of their labor are going through their germ cooling period.

Jake Rempel shares Wiebe’s view. He feels Halloween traditions are okay, even in light of COVID-19, so long as they are done in a responsible way. Without kids of his own to collect candy with, Rempel has made his Steinbach home a Halloween destination by building a giant treat dispensing machine.

“My candy delivery system looks very much like a Ferris wheel,” he describes, “but instead of seats, it runs buckets. The buckets stays verticle so the candy goes in on one side then it rotates around and on the other side kids can pick their candies out of the buckets.”

Rempel says his goal with the simple construction project was to follow the government’s physical distancing regulations in a fun and novel way.

Another parent, Jason Fehr gives voice to what many parents are probably feeling. In the delicate balance between fun and safety, he says his family is split on what to do on the last evening of October. To avoid conflict, Fehr has posited a stay at home Halloween: "I think really everyone just wants to dress up and get a lot of the candy and I’m like listen, you dress up and I can buy you a lot of candy.”

With so many varying thoughts on the matter, one may wonder what the provincial government is actually saying when it comes to Halloween. Unsurprisingly, their basic recommendations line up with the now common COVID-19 protocols: wash your hands, physical distance, wear masks, and do not participate if you feel unwell. Any families itching to hit the streets and fill their plastic jack ‘o’ lantern heads with candy are advised to be aware of their local Pandemic Response System level and any additional restrictions that apply.

Meanwhile, the province has also provided guidance on the safe dispersal of candy. Where possible, homeowners are asked to avoid self-service free-for-all candy bowls, supply only store-bought pre-packaged sweets, and offer individual contactless candy distribution at their door by using tools like tongs to distribute candy at a distance.