Ealing Council is reminding people to follow COVID rules this Halloween and not be tempted to meet indoors with people they don’t live with.

Ealing’s local COVID alert level, as with the whole of London, was moved from medium to high on 17 October, following an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Under current restrictions, people cannot mix with anyone they don’t live with or have formed a support bubble or childcare bubble with, indoors – this includes restaurants, cafes, pub and any other indoor venues.

People can only meet in groups of up to six people outside, this includes children.

Ealing Council is urging residents to consider alternative ways of celebrating this year, with the cabinet member for public health and adult services, Binda Rai, saying: “We have had an outstanding response to the pandemic from the very start, with residents coming together to look out for their neighbours, as well as following the public health guidance, which continues to change. With rates rising, it is more important than ever before to do what we can to keep our friends, family and neighbours safe.”

She continued: “So, this Halloween we’re asking residents to make changes to how they might usually celebrate. I would encourage people to look at our ideas below and even come up with their own ideas on how the could celebrate Halloween this year within their own household in order to keep safe.”  

Here are some of the ways you can have an alternative scare this Halloween:

• Have a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Decorate your home
• Have a trick or treat hunt in your home with members of your household
• Carve and decorate pumpkins to display in your windows
• Host a virtual Halloween costume or pumpkin carving contest
• Bake some Halloween treats
• Keep your little ones busy with these Halloween colouring sheets and display them on your front windows

Trick or treating has a risk of inadvertently spreading the virus – because if several people are putting their hands into buckets or bowls of sweets, there is an increased chance of the virus being passed on. People are also asked to keep in mind that many people, including those more vulnerable members of our communities, may want to reduce social contact and may not want visitors at their doorsteps.

Please follow the latest government guidance to keep yourself and others safe:

• No household mixing with people you don’t live with or have formed a support bubble or childcare bubble with, in any indoor setting, at home, at pubs and restaurants.
• Follow the ‘rule of six’ outdoors and keep a two-metre distance with people you don’t live with.
• Wear a face covering when you cannot keep two metres apart and in shops and on public transport.
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser.
• Use the NHS COVID-19 test and trace app on entry at local businesses to help track and prevent the spread of coronavirus.