Health officials discouraging trick-or-treating, offering alternatives

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Public Health is discouraging people from trick-or-treating this Halloween but it and the Centers for Disease Control are offering alternative ways to celebrate safely.

Mayor Steve Adler's most recent "Got A Minute" segment was Halloween-themed and the mayor emphasized no trick-or-treating because of the increase in interactions and lack of control that comes with it.

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Austin man tests ‘candy cannon’ for socially distant trick-or-treat video series

Luke Keyes is embracing socially distanced trick-or-treating by testing a variety of methods to deliver candy with minimal contact as a coronavirus safety precaution. (Credit: Luke Keyes via Storyful)

Some of the low-risk activities suggested by officials include carving pumpkins with members of your household or doing it outside with neighbors or friends. They say you could also hold a family or virtual costume contest or do a backyard candy hunt or get a pinata.

Medium-risk behaviors include lined-up goodie bags at the end of the driveway, outdoor costume parties with less than 10 people, an outdoor one-way haunted house, or a pumpkin patch where hand sanitizer and other safety precautions are readily available.

The mayor says if you do put yourself and family at risk and go trick-or-treating, you should stay home if you're feeling sick or unwell. He says only take candy that's wrapped and make sure you clean it before you eat it.