It's a contentious event around our nation, some suburban streets will go along with it while others will slam their doors in disgust.
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But for those who love a bit of ghoulish garb, Halloween 2020 has not officially been cancelled amid the gloom of COVID-19.
Children and children-at-heart will be donning hellish outfits and fabulous face paint this Saturday on the South Coast, though trick-or-treaters are being reminded to be COVID-safe.
Liz Kemp has been decorating her South Coast home for nearly 20 years, since her children were in primary school.
Families come from far and wide to see her extravagant haunted house setup on Hillside Drive, last year causing "gridlock" in the street.
"I do it for the kids, their excited faces ... I've had one say to me 'I don't like your house but I do like it at Christmas time'," Mrs Kemp laughed.
"I have families now that come that used to come with their parents - that's how long I've been doing it."
Read more: 10 easy costume ideas
Ten storage boxes worth of skeletons, witches and "scary skull men" usually adorn the transformed haunted house, but this year will be a little different.
Mrs Kemp is downsizing her setup and won't be pulling out 1000 lollipops for trick-or-treaters like in previous years due to fears over COVID-19.
She will, however, allow families to pose for Insta-worthy selfies with her scary embellishments.
NSW Health hasn't completely cancelled October 31, but have issued guidelines so the community can stay safe and free from nasty germs.
A spokesman said trick-or-treaters should stick to small groups.
"In previous years we might have had large groups of 10-20 kids going around together," he said.
"We're just asking those to split up into smaller household groups and a parent, adult or guardian go around with them and just provide little bit of extra supervision."
He also advised people not to have lollies at their door, but in their front yard to minimise points of contact.
"I know as a parent if you put a bowl of pre-wrapped lollies out they might [disappear] pretty quickly," he said.
"Have separate bowls so you don't have to keep refilling the same bowl ... and wipe them down in between, just use common sense."
NSW Health guidelines for ghouls who just wanna have fun:
- If sick, stay home and don't go trick-or-treating
- If self isolating at home, don't answer the door
- Make it a front-yard event, not at the front-door of your house. Keep your celebrations outdoors including lollies
- Use individually wrapped candies
- Offer hand sanitiser when lollies are being given out
- Minimise contact by leaving a bowl of wrapped lollies out, wipe down and sanitise if replenishing
- Remember, you can only have 20 people at somebody's home at any one time.
For the trick-or-treaters
- Head out in small groups, accompanied by an adult
- Wear a face mask and regularly sanitise hands
- Stay in your suburb rather than going to well-known "treat streets" that attract crowds
- Stay 1.5 meters away from people you don't live with
- Use a disposable bag to collect your treats, dispose of it appropriately afterwards
Desiree Savage
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
