BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Halloween is around the corner, and Los Angeles resident Tony Directs said he is not letting the challenges of a pandemic stop him from creatively celebrating the holiday.
Directs has been shopping diligently for his costume at the Spirit Halloween store on La Brea.
“My plans pretty much are to, hopefully, find a Halloween party. That would be nice to actually just go to a Halloween party. I probably won’t be trick-or-treating, but do something on Halloween for sure,” he explained.
While Directs prepares for his spooky night out, he feels that as long as he is wearing a mask, a party or gathering should be safe. However, not everyone agrees with how the holiday should be celebrated this year. The city of Beverly Hills banned trick-or-treating, citing coronavirus concerns.
“As far as like banning it, I feel like people should have their own right to do what they want. If people want to give out candy, that is fine. If people want to trick-or-treat and go out, then that is fine, too. But I don’t know about banning it,” Directs said.
Beverly Hills issued a clear stance: no giving candy, toys, or treats outside one’s household, including from one’s car.
Sophia Cohen, who is a parent, said she agrees with the ban and plans to wait until next year to celebrate traditionally.
“I think given the context of everything that’s going on, I think it makes perfect sense. It’s a disappointment obviously, but it’s what’s needed to keep everyone safe, so I’m all for it.”
Directs said many of his memories of Halloween are from his childhood, so he feels for those who are unable to celebrate.
“If I was a kid and I knew I couldn’t go trick-or-treating this year, I’d be a little bit bummed out.”
This year he will be wearing both his facemask and Halloween costume mask.
The CDPH has stated that no more than three households (including your own) can gather for the holiday.