Merseyside is set for a muted Halloween as the region enters the highest level of government restrictions due to a rise in positive Covid-19 cases.
The Tier 3 measures will prevent social gatherings and househoulds mixing this October 31, and trick-or-treating has been advised against.
This has led to many seasonal events being cancelled with some businesses concerned about loss of income.
Renowned fancy dress store Smiffy’s remain uncertain about the impact on Halloween sales this year.
A spokesperson for the Bold Street shop said: “It’s impossible to tell right now, but its looking gloomy. We’re in the hospitality industry and there are no events going on. Hopefully there will be a change but its very unlikely.”
The Spooky Welly Walk is one of many events across Merseyside that has had to be cancelled.
Natalie Rose, a fundraising officer for the Roy Castle charity, who are responsible for setting up the walk, said: “All of our events have been massively hit this year. This has had a negative effect on our income.”
However, the charity has found a solution for children missing out on the popular Halloween walk this year.
Rose said: “We are providing our supporters with an interactive Spooky Welly Walk adventure pack. This will enable them to complete their own virtual walk from wherever they are, and it incorporates all the best bits of our physical event. It’s a great trick or treat alternative for what is going to be a very different Halloween.”
Despite the latest round of social distancing measures put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, there are those hoping to make the best of a difficult situation.
Wirral blogger Rachael Elizabeth is determined to have a happy Halloween even if it means staying indoors.
She said: “I do think kids will be missing out this year. There’ll be no trick or treating, or visiting extended family and no parties, which is what Halloween is all about for the kids.
“We plan on making Halloween special by having a spooky themed night in with our bubble, with Halloween movies and lots of sweets. We’re all going to dress up for the occasion no matter what.”
Milo O’Ryan, a 20-year-old student at the University of Liverpool, is using lockdown to rekindle the spirit of Halloween.
She said: “I think this year we’re going to have a more traditional Halloween. We’re dressing up and playing games like apple bobbing.
“We felt that this year was a good opportunity to go back to the roots of the holiday instead of just going clubbing again.”