City of Clive, Iowa Mayoral Proclamation

CITY OF CLIVE, IOWA MAYORAL PROCLAMATION BEGGAR’S NIGHT - 2020 WHEREAS, each year the Mayor is asked to proclaim Beggar’s Night as part of the annual observance of Halloween; and WHEREAS, a tradition has evolved in the Greater Des Moines area that youngsters go trick-or-treating on the evening prior to Halloween; and WHEREAS, it is felt to be in the best interest of the community that “Beggar’s Night” be observed on the same date throughout the area; and WHEREAS, the City of Clive staff has surveyed communities in the metropolitan area and found that October 30, 2020 was the preferred night for Beggar’s Night. WHEREAS, the global COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health emergency that requires all residents to take special precautions to keep people safe and healthy. WHEREAS, the City of Clive monitors COVID-19 metrics closely and may need to adapt plans for Beggar’s Night 2020 to protect public health. WHEREAS, the City of Clive and other community partners are offering many lower risk activities that are safe alternatives for celebrating Beggar’s Night given the ongoing public health emergency. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott Cirksena, Mayor of the City of Clive, do hereby proclaim the evening of October 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as Beggar’s Night in Clive, Iowa. Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, I further request residents of Clive take all precautions to decrease the likelihood of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 while still making the celebration of Beggar’s Night safe and enjoyable. Please observe the following best practices. Tips for beggars to enjoy the night safely • Accompany your children. • If you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or is symptomatic, stay home. • If you are at high-risk of developing serious health complications from COVID- 19, do not participate. • Wear a face-covering throughout the evening. Halloween masks do not offer appropriate protection from COVID-19. • Participate in the evening with just members of your household. This means avoid gathering in groups with others from your neighborhood. • Keep at least six feet away from those who don’t live in your home. • Use hand sanitizer frequently. • Do not stop at homes that do not follow safety guidelines, such as wearing a face covering, social distancing, and using a contact-free system to distribute treats. • Only visit homes where the lights are on and visitors are being welcomed. • Do not visit homes where the lights are off, as it may be home to someone who is either more vulnerable to COVID-19 or is not interested in participating. • Limit the number of homes you visit and stay in your neighborhood. • Never enter a stranger’s home or car. • Do not eat treats until you return home and have appropriately sanitized them. • Consider alternative ways to celebrate that do not include visiting other homes. Tips for households to participate in Beggars’ Night safely • Turn your lights on if you’d like to participate, and make sure the area where you’re distributing treats is well lit. • Maintain social distancing from participants by leaving individual grab bags or paper cups filled with goodies outside your door or in your driveway, or distribute candy using another contact-free system. • Do not use a common bowl to dispense treats. • Watch for visitors approaching your home so they do not need to touch your door or doorbell to get your attention. • Watch and wave at participants and have them tell a joke from a safe distance at your door or from your yard or driveway. • Consider putting up signs or marking your walkway or driveway with arrows and spots so visitors know how to approach, wait, and exit while maintaining good social distance. • If you are sick or have symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 symptoms, do not participate. • If you are at high-risk of developing serious health complications from COVID- 19, do not participate. • Wash or sanitize your hands often and wear a face covering. • Visit trusted public health information sources for guidance on celebrating safely: o CDC Holiday Celebrations Guidance o CDC Considerations for Events and Gatherings IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the Official Seal of Clive, Iowa on this _____ day of ___________________, 2020. ______________________________ Scott Cirksena, Mayor .

Load more