Fall Activity Guidelines

• People should not participate in any fall activities or ceremonies listed below if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If you think you may be sick, use the online Saskatchewan COVID-19 self-assessment tool and follow the directions.
• Limit holiday gatherings to household groups only.
• Where possible, consider virtual gatherings.
• Where possible, plan for all or part of the celebration to be held outdoors and ensure two metres of physical distancing between participants who are not a part of the same household.

• Indoor public gatherings held in public venues with food or beverage service are not permitted at this time. Please refer to the Public Health Order on public and private gatherings.

Trick-or-treating is permitted with the following measures in place: 

Neighbourhood Trick-or-Treating

• Two metres distance must be maintained between individuals who are not in the same household/extended household at all times.
• No direct physical contact should occur between trick-or-treaters and people distributing Halloween treats.
• Participants should consider using tools (e.g. tongs) to distribute candy at a distance.
• Physical distancing must be used when approaching houses (i.e. wait until group ahead is gone, take turns). For houses or neighbourhoods anticipating a high volume of trick-or-treaters, people distributing candy are encouraged to place tape markers every two metres between doorways and sidewalks/driveways to promote physical distancing.
• Due to the number of people potentially touching the treats prior to being handed out, consider cleaning candy wrappers with disinfectant wipes or holding the treats for 72 hours before consuming.
• Only wrapped, store-bought treats should be distributed.
• Common touch areas (e.g. handrails, doorbells, doorknobs, etc.) should be frequently cleaned and disinfected while distributing candy.
• Trick-or-treaters should practise frequent hand hygiene by carrying portable hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
• People distributing candy should practise frequent hand hygiene while handing out Halloween treats.
• Trick-or-treaters should consider incorporating non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) into their costumes, while ensuring their eyes are not covered for safety reasons.
• Individuals handing out candy should consider wearing non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) where two metres of physical distance cannot be maintained.
• Where possible, only one household member should hand out candy.
• Alternatives to trick-or-treating may be considered, such as:
  • Costume viewing from windows/virtual/photos.
  • Decorating households and yards for viewing from afar.
  • A costume parade where physical distancing can be maintained.

Mall/Retail Trick-or-Treating

• Retail outlets must follow the Clothing and Retail Guidelines as part of their operations.
• Outlets handing out candy must ensure they comply with all guidelines specified above for private trick-or-treating.

• Organizers must implement one-way traffic flow to promote physical distancing (i.e. enter through one door and exit through another).
• Use markings or dividers and visual cues in common areas to ensure physical distancing between non-household/extended household members.
• Please refer to the Public Health Order related to Face Coverings for masking requirements.
• Ensure frequent hand hygiene is available for everyone before, during and after visiting the haunted house with hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
• Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/high-touch surfaces with the use of a Health Canada-approved product.
• Walk-though times between groups must be a minimum of 10 minutes apart to avoid congestion in the haunted house.

Pumpkin patches are permitted to operate under the following conditions:

• People not from the same household or extended household should maintain two metres of physical distancing at all times. Limit gathering with other people when entering and leaving the pumpkin patch, and always supervise children playing.
• Limit entry to the pumpkin patch to allow for physical distancing of two metres between individuals and household/extended household groups. Block off areas to control access.
• Minimize the number of entrances and exits to control the number of participants.
• Manage lineups into the pumpkin patch to meet physical distancing requirements of two metres between people not from the same household or extended household.
• Direct traffic flow through the patch using chalk or tape markings on the ground, ropes, barriers or other markers as required. Where possible, implement one-direction traffic flow to promote physical distancing.
• Ensure frequent hand hygiene is available for everyone before, during and after pumpkin picking with hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
• Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/high-touch surfaces with the use of a Health Canada-approved product.
• If photo stations are available, two metres of physical distancing must be maintained between household/extended household groups lining up to take photographs.
• Photographers must maintain two metres of physical distance from groups or individuals being photographed.
• The photo station must be disinfected between each group being photographed.
• Any outdoor play areas in pumpkin patches must follow the Recreation Guidelines.

In recognition of the importance of observing Remembrance Day, the following guidelines have been developed for event organizers and participants to help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

General Guidelines

• Wherever possible, organizers should provide an option for virtual attendance using online streaming services.
• Organizers are responsible for managing the positioning and directional flow of attendees to encourage physical distancing and minimize crowding.
• Provide enough time for attendees to arrive prior to the ceremony in order to minimize lineups. Where lineups may form, provide markings to ensure physical distancing while waiting in line.
• Attendees should be provided instructions for safe entry and exit from the event using public address systems, where possible.
• Provide hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) at entrances and outside of washrooms.
• Non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) are recommended where two metres of physical distancing is unpredictable or cannot be maintained, including organizers, event staff, volunteers and those participating in the ceremonies.
• Contactless payment options for poppy sales should be considered, where possible.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of any common touch items is required.
• Food service, where provided, must follow the Restaurant and Licensed Establishments Guidelines.
• Musical performances, including The Last Post, must follow the Performing Arts Guidelines.