The Nevada Health Response is issuing recommendations and guidance for celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos.

El Día de los Muertos is a cherished cultural tradition celebrated in the fall by many Nevadans, and Halloween is a fun time for families to get dressed up in the spooky spirit, but in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains critical that we do all we can to minimize the risk of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus while enjoying the holidays.

Many traditional activities, such as door-to-door trick-or-treating, may appear low risk because they take place outdoors or the interactions may be short. However, when a lot of people participate in lower-risk activities at the same time, it raises the potential for disease spread across the state. As Nevadans plan their activities, they are urged to consider and follow the guidelines and best practices as outlined in the guidance.

Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady of Nevada Kathy Sisolak issued the following statement concerning Halloween activities that traditionally take place annually at the Governor’s Mansion.

At this time, the Nevada Governor's Mansion is experiencing low staffing levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to keep staff and visitors safe, the annual Halloween Festivities at the mansion will not take place this year. Robust staffing would be required in order to ensure the safety of the thousands of Nevadans who typically attend this traditional event.

The Governor and First Lady have ensured that the mansion continue to be decorated in the festive Halloween spirit. 

"The First Lady and I are disappointed that the annual Halloween trick-or-treating event at the mansion will not be able to take place this year," said Gov. Steve Sisolak. "Last year we hosted our first Halloween at the mansion and will cherish those memories for a lifetime. However, at this time, we made the decision that protecting the health and safety of the limited staff at the mansion and our fellow Nevadans must be our top priority. We encourage all Nevadans to safely celebrate this year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for the biggest and best Halloween yet."