Massachusetts Department of Public Health urges residents to keep Halloween festivities outdoors
Massachusetts health officials renewed their push Wednesday for people to keep Halloween celebrations outdoors and socially distanced to limit the spread of COVID-19.
![a group of people standing on a sidewalk: Governor Charlie Baker talks with Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll after his press conference inside the Olde Main Street Pub, during the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Inside he was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, and Driscoll to make an announcement about the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program.](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"49","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19O4jp.img?h=493&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"38","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19O4jp.img?h=385&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"38","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19O4jp.img?h=385&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
© Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/masslive.com/TNS
Governor Charlie Baker talks with Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll after his press conference inside the Olde Main Street Pub, during the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Inside he was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, and Driscoll to make an announcement about the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program.
The Department of Public Health issued recommendations based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that condone trick-or-treating and other festivities as long as people follow safety precautions.
Gov. Charlie Baker, who said he wouldn’t issue a mandate limiting or canceling Halloween events, said letting the celebrations continue under existing COVID-19 restrictions could deter people from hosting private Halloween parties that could become super-spreader events.
“They would