Province recommends against trick-or-treating in Mississauga

With Halloween just days away, the province has issued an official recommendation regarding trick-or-treating, and it might disappoint some people in Mississauga, Brampton and other "Stage 2 lite" municipalities.

The Ford government announced on Thursday that it has partnered with MLSE to "encourage more people to download the "COVID Alert app" and help protect people across the country from the pandemic".

Ontario's top doctor released a list of safer alternatives that residents are recommended to try, to avoid spreading COVID-19 in their communities.

Only trick-or-treat outside.

Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps and keep in mind to line up two metres apart if waiting. People should also avoid high-touch surfaces and objects.

Wash your hands often and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer, whether collecting or handing out treats. "The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, although they were shut down immediately during the initial Stage of COVID-19 we were able to adapt the performance arts and so we were able to make a change last Friday with that as well", she says. "There have been increases in cases in many areas across the province, and the percentage of people tested who get a positive result is going up", Williams said.

Incidental travel - vacations, day trips and cross-border shopping excursions - has been forbidden since March in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

He also dispensed some advice for those handing out treats: don't leave them in a container for children to grab, think about using tongs or a similar tool to hand them out, and wear a face covering while doing so.

Download the COVID Alert mobile app.

Dr. Roumeliotis suspects that this week's COVID-19 case numbers will be a key factor in whether he and the province decide to put additional anti-COVID-19 restrictions in place. As of Saturday morning, no one in the health district was hospitalized with symptoms.