Text and photo:

First of all, realize that Halloween will be different this year because of the coronavirus.

But that’s certainly not to say that you should disappoint children who want to go from house to house, or the many who have looked forward to happy and expectant children on the stairs.

This year’s celebration has not been canceled, but there are some important rules that must be followed to justify everything.

Santa Claus has been replaced by a costume

Halloween is celebrated on Saturday, which is closest to October 31, and this year on Saturday, October 31.

It is a relatively new celebration in Norway, mainly involving children and young people.

You dress up in (scary) costumes, call the neighborhood and go ‘crunch or trick’. The idea is that those who are visited can buy themselves free with sweets or fruit, while those who don’t open risk being exposed to frenzy.

You love decorating the house outside and inside with light and scary effects, and carving faces into pumpkins that you can use as lanterns.

Turn the lights on or off

Since Halloween is still a relatively recent celebration here in Norway, many people don’t know how the day and night are performed. Do you have to open the door, or can you choose not to participate?

Since most children only crawl and shout when it’s dark, you can easily signal whether you’re interested in participating or not.

If you want to visit, you can hang some decorations or light candles. The basic rule says that houses that are lit and decorated should be visited.

This year there may be many who are afraid to open the door to the kids because of infection control considerations and their own health, and then it’s fine to signal this without decorations and a dark entrance.

This applies in 2020

For natural reasons, there are more rules to follow on Halloween this year than usual. FHI has stated that it’s fine to celebrate Halloween, but has given a lot of advice on how to conduct the celebration in a way that ensures infection control.

As with all other events and social gatherings at the moment, the most important rule is that no sick person participate and that everyone remembers good hand and cough hygiene along the way. So don’t call others, open the door, get visitors or attend an event when you’re sick!

If children and young people have to gather, it is also important that you comply with current prohibitions and advice about the number of people that can be gathered in your place of residence. You can easily find information about this on the municipality’s website.

At least for the youngest children it is possible to make alternative celebrations. Treasure hunts, rebus races and the like with the same regular groups that you normally belong to are good alternatives.

This reduces the number of contacts and the chance of spreading the infection.

Wrapped candy and clean hands

If you still want to call, it may be a good idea this year to make an appointment in advance if you have the opportunity.

Go in small groups and with the people you are with as usual, and keep your distance from other groups if there is a line outside some houses.

Feel free to bring an adult on the round to ensure both infection control and road safety after dark.

The one who opens the door is the one who hands out candy. Think of clean hands, or use a spoon or sausage clamp. Avoid trinkets, all candy should be prepackaged.

Wait to eat the candy until the round is over and you have washed/sprayed your hands. Also, do not share sweets with others.

And most importantly; Enjoy yourself!