To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
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DISCUSSION REGARDING HALLOWEEN, TRICK OR TREATING, AND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 1, 2020, Councilmember Loewenstein made a motion that was approved unanimously to direct me to bring back a discussion regarding the options available to celebrate Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, would block parties be allowed as a means of controlling who could be on a given block in order to limit those who are trick or treating to residents of the immediate neighborhood? The short answer is NO. Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members are not permitted even if they are conducted outdoors under the current Los Angeles County Department of Public Health rules.
BACKGROUND
Approximately one week after the Council direction to agendize this report, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced that a traditional Halloween with trick-or-treaters going door-to-door for candy would not be allowed in Los Angeles County this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Less than a day later, the Department walked back that prohibition and said that it wouldn't be banned but it was not recommended. Door-to-door trick-or-treating had originally been banned "because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors especially in neighborhoods that are popular with trick or treaters," the health department said in a news release.
Halloween activities that are prohibited within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (which includes Redondo Beach) are:
* Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members are not permitted even if they are conducted outdoors
* Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are not allowed
Halloween activities that are merely not recommended are:
* Door to door trick or tre...
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