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October 26, 2020 – 11:50 pm
Newsroom of El País
Walking the streets with children in costume, going to shopping centers or going from house to house asking for sweets, will remain a traditional ‘Halloween’ activity but for next year.
The celebration of October 31, without a doubt this year will be different, atypical. The Covid-19 pandemic and the risk of a regrowth make it necessary to avoid crowds, for which reason it will not be possible to make tours of the streets next Saturday. The recommendation is that if you are going to celebrate ‘Halloween’, be it in your home and only with those you live with.
This invitation was made by the Ministry of Health together with the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare and Presidential Counseling for Children and Adolescents, through a circular sent to governors and mayors, in which they have been asked to maintain the measures and give guidance on of this celebration.
Also read: Alert calls for caravans in Cali during Halloween despite covid-19
The Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz said that this date may raise the risk of increased infections, since, in general, families go out with their children to ask for sweets from house to house or are in other places where there are more people; parties and caravans are held in vehicles, which generates crowds, difficulty for physical distancing. Also, exchange of objects that may have the virus on their surface such as bags, sweets, costumes, masks, make-up.
This is why within the recommendations, in addition to those already known as the use of masks, hand washing and distancing, Minister Ruiz suggested celebrating ‘Halloween’ at home with the direct family nucleus residing in the house; do not make rounds around the houses to ask for sweets. And he reiterated that commercial centers or establishments must continue with the established measures.
Shopping centers will not have face-to-face events. Chipichape, for example, will perform a virtual show on its page, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The high official also indicated that they should carry out campaigns to avoid social gatherings in closed complexes or public places.
However, the official commented: “The recreation that occurs on ‘Halloween’ is important for the mental health of children. We have to adapt and take advantage of the measures we recommend to work as a family ”.
In fact, this is why the Icbf created the strategy ‘Halloween In Family’, where through digital platforms, families will be able to access virtual activities on October 31 and November 1. Make-up, dance, theater and recipe workshops will be offered to make at home.
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“In Colombia there are 15 million children and adolescents that we must take care of. For this reason, the celebration of ‘Halloween’ imposes greater measures of self-care, security and citizen discipline ”, added Lina Arbeláez, general director of the Icbf.
“Coronavirus is in disguise, waiting for you”
The Departmental Health Secretariat recommends not exposing children to crowds during the celebration of ‘Halloween’.
“We invite you to a family celebration at home, allow your children to dress up, organize some special activity within the home. Do not go out, do not expose children to crowds. It is time to take care of ourselves. The coronavirus is in disguise, waiting for them, ”said Health Minister María Cristina Lesmes.
Also, the official specified that activities will be carried out on television and social networks.
It should be remembered that each municipality may take the measures it deems necessary for this October 31. For example, in Yumbo this weekend there will be a curfew and dry law.
Today the mayor of Cali, Jorge Iván Ospina, will announce the restrictions that will be applied for this date.
Caring for the minor and the whole family
Although it is known that among minors the covid may not be as severe as in other ages, the pediatrician, Javier Criales Hernández, highlighted: “The child may not get or it may not be as severe, but it take home where the grandmother, who has comorbidity, could become infected and die, so it is about taking care of the children, but also the family nucleus ”.
Similarly, he recommended avoiding crowds. “The parents must devise the way in which the child can enjoy himself at home. Circuits could be made around the house for him to go from room to room asking for his candy. You can also make a cake or ice cream and in that way avoid being exposed to other places that do not know where the sweets come from because finally the virus can be on surfaces, pass from one hand to another, we would be taking the virus home ”.
They warn caravans
According to councilor Fernando Tamayo, for October 31, three caravans are scheduled for ‘Halloween’, which are being called from social networks. One of these is from “a motorcycle sale in the Troncal neighborhood, and it worries me because from what they published they said that they had the silent support of traffic guards and some policemen. War warned in the bush soldier. We cannot allow this type of disorder and more in advance of a regrowth. This caravan says they send the route a day before, ”he said.
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