The County of Cape May Department of Health is reporting 15 new positive cases among County residents, Additionally, there are 5 new out of county positive cases that is included in the Non-resident Active Cases listed below.

Total positive cases of COVID-19 infection in Cape May County is now 1608 including 94 deaths.  

How can I safely trick-or-treat and celebrate Halloween?

To help ensure a safe Halloween for all New Jerseyans, the Department of Health has released health and safety guidance for local officials, schools, organizations, and families.

The Department of Health strongly encourages everyone to wear a face covering that covers both the nose and mouth. Costume masks do not count as they do not provide the necessary level of protection.

The Department also strongly recommends all Halloween activities be held outdoors, as the biggest threats for viral spread exists indoors. All Halloween activities must adhere to the limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Indoor gatherings must be limited to 25 people or 25% of a room's capacity – whichever number is lower – and all attendees must wear face coverings and stay six feet apart. Outdoor gatherings must be limited to 500 people and social distancing must be practiced

Trick-or-Treating

Those who plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local, and limit the number of houses on their route.

For those putting out treats:

• Best Option: Instead of placing treats directly in the bags of trick-or-treaters or filling communal bowls that multiple hands reach into, individually packaged candy should be arranged in a way that they can be easily grabbed without multiple pieces being touched.
• You can also leave a treat bowl on a porch or table or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing requirements
• If you are handing out candy, please limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters, wear a face covering when individuals come to the door, and regularly wash hands.
• Any candy given out should be commercially packaged and non-perishable.
• Consider coordinating with neighbors to develop a system, such as signs or on/off porch lights, for distinguishing houses participating in trick-or-treating from those that do not wish to participate.

For outdoor "trunk-or-treating" (when children go car to car instead of house to house):

• Wear a face covering.
• Limit the number of participating cars to ensure adequate space for social distancing and help minimize crowds.
• Ensure the outdoor area has sufficient space per car to avoid overcrowding and to allow adequate space for social distancing.
• Follow the outdoor gatherings limitations in effect at the time.
• Design the event in a long line, rather than a circle, to ensure social and physical distancing to discourage crowding.
• Consider having assigned times or multiple shifts to minimize crowding during the event.

For more information and safety tips, refer to the Department of Health's Halloween Celebration Guidance.

NOTE: No one should participate in Halloween activities if they or a household member have a known exposure to COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not yet met the criteria for discontinuing isolation or were told to quarantine.

Other Activities

Indoor haunted houses should be avoided because of the possibility of congregation and screaming in close quarters. If hosting a haunted house, ensure visitors maintain an appropriate distance by staggering start times and limiting occupancy. A better option would be to host an outdoor haunted house without live performers.

Avoid large indoor or outdoor Halloween parties, which are subject to the limitations on indoor and outdoor gatherings, and avoid participation in activities that require close contact and/or shared items such as bobbing for apples.

Hayrides should limit the number of passengers per ride and keep openings to the same party. Any shared materials should be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

Corn mazes should only permit individuals to proceed in one direction, should limit occupancy according to the applicable restrictions in effect at the time, and should avoid use of shared materials.

Entities hosting these events are encouraged to take reservations and/or sell tickets in advance. All participants should wear a face covering during these activities. Costume masks are not a substitute.

Socially distant Halloween activities that require minimal or no additional health and safety protocols include virtual activities such as online costume parties, driving through neighborhoods with Halloween displays, or Halloween-themed movie nights with family.

Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System Hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, World Health Organization at www.who.int, New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net and also like us on Facebook.