To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, County Public Health officer Wilma Wooten has advised keeping the Halloween holiday virtual or distanced, to “maybe plan a virtual or drive-by costume party that lets you celebrate while keeping up the fight against the spread of the virus.”
National City’s answer is to run not one but two virtual contests for residents to celebrate the holiday from the safety of home: a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest.
Both contests require residents to register on the National City website at www.joinnatcity.com then submit photos of their entries online.
Residents can enter one or both contests and final entries are due this Sunday, Oct. 18.
Both contests have separate divisions for age groups ranging from preschoolers to young adults, as well as categories for entries.
Pumpkins can be entered in Most Creative, Scariest, Funniest or Overall Best categories; costumes can also be worn in Most Creative, Scariest, Funniest and Overall Best as well as a Prettiest category.
First place winners will receive a $25 gift card, second place winners will receive a $15 gift card and grand prize winners will receive a $50 gift card.
The county of San Diego also issued tiered guidance for celebrating Halloween outside the home that strives to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Recommended activities include decorating yards with Halloween-themed decorations, attending a drive-in movie and visits to pumpkin patches or pick-your-own fruit and vegetable gardens where six feet of distance should be maintained from others.
Trick- or trunk-or-treating from door to door is not recommended by the county due to potentially close contact, along with haunted houses where proper ventilation might not be ensured.
In-person gatherings between non-household members are not allowed by the county, nor are carnivals, petting zoos and live entertainment events.
County guidance did include one way to provide treats to youngsters yearning to venture out in a costume on Oct. 31: one-way trick or treating, in which individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab while social distancing, such as at the end of a driveway or the edge of a yard.
More information on safe celebrations can be found at www.nationalcityca.gov.
