Richmond families should not take their children 'trick or treating' this Halloween because of high coronavirus levels in the borough.

That's the message from Richmond Council which has created a poster that residents can put in their windows to deter people from knocking.

It features a pumpkin in a keep out sign under the headline No Trick or Treaters Please and can be downloaded from the council website.

Richmond is in Tier 2 for Covid-19, which means households are not permitted to mix indoors and are limited to the rule of six outdoors, while adhering to social distancing measures.

We currently have the fifth highest Covid-19 rate in London after recording 346 new cases in the past seven days.

The council has no legal power to ban trick or treating, but its advice will carry weight with parents, children and local schools.

A survey on the Nextdoor website, which had more than 600 votes, found that two in three people (67%) are against trick or treating this October 31. This compares to 22% in favour and 11% undecided.

Council leader Gareth Roberts urged parents to opt for alternative celebrations put on by the council and others.

Message from the council

The council said: "Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year's Halloween celebrations will be different for many families. Traditional Trick or Treat traditions of children ringing on doorbells and putting their hands in the same bowls now pose an unnecessary risk.

"The virus can remain on many surfaces long after the contact and as a result, areas such as door knockers and bells can act as a transmitter of the virus while increasing the chances of spreading the virus to others.

"Richmond Council are asking families to use common sense this Halloween, to not go from door to door and to consider some of the fun and safe alternatives being proposed."

The council added: "Halloween also poses challenges for older or more vulnerable residents who may be shielding to protect themselves and others. Residents are asked to consider vulnerable residents who may be particularly anxious at this time and alarmed by repeated knocks on their door.

"To help protect residents who wish not to be disturbed on Halloween night, the council has made available a printable sign available that residents can hang on their front doors or in front windows to illustrate to others that they are not taking part in this year's celebrations and do not wish to be called upon."

The poster can be downloaded from this link.

Councillor Roberts said: "Like so many things this year, Covid-19 has affected the way we do things and Halloween is no different. We want to encourage residents to celebrate Halloween but to do so in a way that is both safe for them and those around them. Richmond is currently in the High tier of Covid-19 cases which means we must continue to show vigilance to ensure we slow the spread of the virus while continuing to social distance, wearing face masks and avoiding unnecessary contacts with others.

"We have launched a programme of alternative activities to help kids and families to celebrate Halloween in a safe way while also providing shielding or vulnerable residents with resources to ensure they can have a peaceful Halloween evening. I would encourage all young people to take part in our colouring competition and share their creations with us."

What residents said

These are a few of the views expressed by residents on Nextdoor.

I say cancel it. Have you not heard the news? The virus is everywhere in the world. The worse affected family is the one going to each property trick or treating. They will be carrying the virus from different house hold? How are they going to clean the sweets / money / crisps / chocolates that they receive? The virus will stay on these goods for a few days.

As far as l am concerned. If we are not allowed pubs, theatres or Remembrance Day. Then everything is cancelled.

I will be receiving children to trick or treat at my door , I will have social distancing in place , it's only once a rear that the children can dress up and have some fun ."

Happy to give treats out to the children, observing sensible distancing and remembering they are children and have looked forward to this for a very long time!

Alternative 'low risk' activities

The council has launched a spooky Halloween colouring competition. Children are invited to download and print off the Council's pumpkin stencil and to fill it with colour and to share their creations via social media. The stencil can be downloaded via this link.

Separately, households are encouraged to display their pumpkin on their doorsteps or in a front window or decorate their house with all things ghoulish and scary and to share their creations with the council online.

These are the seven "low risk" Halloween activities the council has recommended as an alternative to trick or treating.

1. pumpkin competition – Families are invited to submit images of their pumpkin creations. Entries will be shared on our social media. Households are also encouraged to display their pumpkin on their doorsteps or in a front window.
2. colouring competition – The council launched their Halloween poster that children can colour in, display in their windows and share their creations online.
3. house decorating – Families are encouraged to decorate their house with all things ghoulish and scary and to share their creations with the Council online.
4. Halloween scavenger hunt – parents can lay out a scavenger hunt around the house or outdoor areas of their garden or street for children to explore and find hidden treats.
5. home movie night – with an array of spooky Halloween favourites available on all streaming services and from local libraries why not put a scary film on for some fun and scares on Halloween night.
6. home fancy dress party – all the family can get involved and dress up with their Halloween outfits. Children can also use video conferencing software to connect with their friends on the night and to show off their scary outfits.
7. spot the pumpkin - parents can prepare a bag of treats for their children/household and go on a pumpkin hunt around their local areas and every time a child spots a pumpkin the child receives a treat. Trick or Treat with a difference.

Children can share their colouring creations, household decorations or pumpkin carvings and enter the prize draw, share pictures online and tag the council on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #RichmondScares.

Closing date for entries for the colouring competition is Monday, November 2.