COVID-19 has changed day-to-day life the world over, continuing to alter years’ old traditions. The latest victim: Halloween.
For college students, Halloween generally means a weekend full of lively parties and classic forms of entertainment like haunted houses — both of which entail direct contact with large groups of people.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made classic college Halloween plans a little different.
Cody Martino, Cailinn Monahan and Jordan McFeely — all juniors at Westminster College — plan to spend their Halloweens with groups of friends rather than large parties.
“I’ll just be with a group of friends so I’m not too worried [about COVID-19],” Martino said.
Monahan said she will also spend Halloween with friends — but only those who are her housemates and those who she already comes in direct contact with on a regular basis.
“My housemates and I plan to binge on candy and have Halloween movies playing on repeat,” Monahan said.
Monahan also plans to visit a haunted house, many of which are enforcing coronavirus-related guidelines.
Two popular haunted houses in Salt Lake City — Nightmare on 13th and Fear Factory — will run through the Halloween season. Both attractions enforce the Salt Lake County health restrictions, including face coverings, social distancing, employee screenings, increased availability of hand sanitizer, increased cleaning and a reservation ticket system.
Westminster junior Jordan McFeely said she and her roommates plan to celebrate by visiting Chipotle Mexican Grill for its promotionally-priced burritos — a Halloween special the restaurant has offered in previous years.
“I’m not local to Salt Lake City so I don’t have too many local traditions, but my roommates and I have made $4 Chipotle burritos our tradition,” McFeely said. “[We] will probably just go get our food and hang out at our apartment.”
Although COVID-19 might modify traditional Halloween celebrations, college students are continuing to adjust to the challenges of the pandemic.
