Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Wednesday, officially designated Halloween Trick-or-Treating as October 31st, from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m.  He also set some guidelines for the event, in light of COVID-19. His statement says:

“Mayor Jones requests participation in the following guidelines for 2020 Halloween:
• Keep family/children in a group and do not mix/mingle with other children/families. Maintain a 6-foot distance if waiting to approach a house.
• Candy should be handed out, not presented in a container for everyone to put their hands in and choose from. Alternatively, participating households could set out individualized plastic or brown paper bags for children to take individually.
• Masks/face coverings should be worn when approaching houses to accept candy being handed out and should be worn by those handing out candy, or when within 6 feet of those outside your family/social circle.
• Houses that wish to participate should turn their outdoor lights on.”

Jones said also, the Chamber has looked at some alternatives, such as a virtual Halloween costume contest, street activities in the downtown area for children, and other possible alternatives. Nothing official has been released thus far, with regard to the other options mentioned.