Halloween 2020 Is On For Edmonson County: City Event Moved To Chalybeate Park

Darren Doyle, story:
Halloween plans in Edmonson County are moving forward, according to Judge Executive Wil Cannon's Office, with some safety measures in place for this year's event.

Normally held on the courthouse square, this year's event is being moved to Chalybeate Park and scheduled for October 31, 2020 from 3:30PM to 7PM. 

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to set up tables to hand out candy and treats in the park, which will be set up along the walking trail there. 

"We plan to set tables at least 10 feet apart for safe distancing and we've extended the hours in order to be able to accommodate more people safely," said Tammi Willhite, county treasurer. "This year's Halloween looks a bit different due to COVID, but the Judge Executive's Office feels like this is the best route for an enjoyable event that will also be safe."

Judge Cannon's office also said that hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event. Bagged treats are encouraged and individuals handing out treats are recommended to wear masks as well as gloves if handling treats.

The Kentucky Department of Health has issued recommended guidelines for Halloween; one item most notable is the recommendation of a face covering separate from a Halloween mask. It is unclear whether the state recommends wearing a face covering under or over a Halloween mask; however, many Halloween masks cover more than a large number of face coverings that are currently being used by individuals. These guidelines are state recommendations only; they are not mandated.

Kentucky Department of Health recommended guidelines for safe Halloween activities.

Some of the recommendations shared from the state for trick-or-treating are:

• Place individually wrapped candy outside on the porch, driveway or table
• Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from anyone not within your household.
• Always wear a face covering. Halloween masks DO NOT count as a face covering.
• Clean hands before and after touching the wrapped candy.
• Trick-or-treat in family groups and don’t congregate in large groups.
• Trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood. Do not travel to other neighborhoods.
• Use hand sanitizer often, especially after contacting frequently-touched surfaces and before eating anything. 

The event is organized by Edmonson County Parks and Rec. 

There are currently no county mandates on other Halloween activities, such as trick-or-treating, haunted houses, hayrides, etc. Individuals may participate in these activities according to their own choosing. Having outdoor or porch lights on during trick-or-treating is an indication that the residence is participating in trick-or-treating. One that does not wish to participate is asked to keep porch lights off. 

According to state data, Edmonson County is ranked 3 on a 1-4 scale of severity of the virus outbreak. With 1 being the least and 4 being the greatest, Edmonson County is listed as "accelerated," having between 10 and 25 cases per 100,000 people. As of Thursday, October 8th, Edmonson County had a total of 14 known active positive COVID-19 cases for the entire county, (12K residents) or .01% of the county's population, (one-tenth of one percent).