Trick or…trace?

Friday 09 October 2020

Islanders are being urged not to take children trick-or-treating this Halloween over concerns it could lead to the need for track-and-tracing.

Public Health say that physical distancing may become too difficult with door-to-door visits and warn that covid-19 could spread through the handing out of sweets and touching of doorbells.

Party planners are also being reminded that social gatherings – deemed high-risk for transmission due to the possibility of limited ventilation and reduced distancing - should involve fewer than 20 people.

“Although it is not thought that children are the main drivers of covid, they can still spread the virus and face-to-face exposure with strangers, while trick-or-treating, poses more of a risk of spread to islanders,” Deputy Medical Officer for Health Dr Ivan Muscat, who is leading Jersey's pandemic response, explained. 

Pictured: Dr Ivan Muscat issued the advice.

He continued: “Children may also be suffering from other viral infections which cause sneezing and coughing, adding to the risk of coronavirus and flu transmission.

“The practice of trick or treating could increase exposure to high risk individuals as they may feel pressured to answer their doors to lots of people which may also add to already heightened anxiety levels.”