#Los Angeles quickly reverses trick-or-treat ban

Los Angeles pulled a Halloween switcheroo on Wednesday — first banning, and then quickly unbanning, trick-or-treating.

Less than a day after saying the door-to-door candy grab is banned due to coronavirus concerns, county officials changed course and said the popular children’s tradition is now just “not recommended.”

The revision came after parents and businesses “went apoplectic with outrage,” Deadline reported, citing a press briefing by LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Also not recommended — but no longer outright banned — are LA’s popular “trunk-or-treat” events, in which costumed kids go car to car instead of door to door.

According to the newly-updated county guidelines:

“Door to door trick or treating is not recommended because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread, and because sharing food is risky.

“‘Trunk or treating’ where children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats is also not recommended, particularly when part of Halloween events, since it is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing food,” the guidelines state.

The new guidlelines still ban any Halloween gatherings or festivals with non-household members, even if held outdoors.