London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

Halloween cancelled! Trick or treating banned in England’s high-risk coronavirus areas

Halloween cancelled! Trick or treating banned in England’s high-risk coronavirus areas

Coronavirus has cancelled Halloween for thousands of people in England, as those in areas with Tier 3 restrictions won’t be able to go trick or treating or mix with other households indoors or in private outdoor spaces.

Ahead of Halloween, Nadhim Zahawi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Industry, told LBC radio that “it’s a tough thing” that in ‘Tier 3’ people won’t be able to participate in traditional activities this year.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister reaffirmed the gloomy reality.

"The rules are those which apply to household mixing in general and what that means in practice is if you’re in a ‘Very High’ alert level then you cannot mix with other households indoors or in private outdoor spaces."


Anyone caught breaking the rules in England faces a fine of £200, rising up to £3,200 for repeat offenders.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to issue guidance in the next few days, while Wales is currently in a ‘firebreak’ national lockdown that prohibits mixing between households indoors and outdoors.

Rob Chester, Managing Director of NSF International, a Public Health and Safety Organisation, did not ask people to “boycott Halloween” but warned that “COVID-19 won’t be taking a day off on the 31st October”.

While Tier 1 and 2 areas will be able to go trick and treating, although the rule of six still applies to all, local authorities are providing residents with “no trick or treat advice posters” for those who might be shielding or concerned about the risk of interacting with other households, further limiting the popular occasion.

The University of Reading’s Dr Simon Clarke raised concerns that could worry families about an “unbeknown infected household” giving sweets to children who could then present a threat “particularly if they live with someone with heightened risk”.

Surrey Police urged residents to keep in mind that some, especially the elderly, might be scared by trick or treaters and asked individuals to consider how their Halloween customs might affect other people.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
×