Mocs News Reporting the news that matters most to UTC
By Laura Phillips
Chattanooga, TN (mocsnews.com) With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, several annual fall events in the Chattanooga area are going to look a little different this year.
Some of Chattanooga’s favorite fall attractions are implementing new rules and procedures to ensure that safety is the number one priority.
Boo in the Zoo at the Chattanooga Zoo is only selling tickets online. They are also eliminating “high touch areas” along with requiring facial coverings.
Another Chattanooga fall attraction, The River Maze, in Polk County is keeping all of their regular activities open, but they’re recommending social distancing.
UTC student, Karah Powell, says she wants to go to a pumpkin farm and some haunted houses this fall. She says she’s glad that these attractions are making accommodations in order to keep people safe.
“I think it’s good that the places enforce masks. I like to think they are thoroughly cleaning too between everyone coming through,” she said. “I’m glad these places are following guidelines”
With all the new rules and guidelines, some are choosing to forgo these events all together.
UTC student, Samuel Still, says he’s not going to be participating in any of the events he usually does.
“As much as I love fall, with the pandemic still going on, I won’t be participating in any events that I normally would,” he said. “If people want to go to these events, I guess they can, but in my opinion I think it would be better if everyone stayed home to slow the spread of the virus.”
The Hamilton County Health Department is recommending that people take extra precautions for Halloween this year.
The Health Department says not to use costume masks in place of cloth masks. For trick or treating, they recommend only using prepackaged treats and considering using individual grab bags and leaving them at the end of a driveway or yard instead of handing out the candy.
The Health Department also offered some alternatives to attending fall events.
“Some low risk activities include carving a pumpkin at home with household members, having a virtual pumpkin carving contest or a virtual costume contest, decorating at home, or scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat around the house with just your household members,” they said.
Whatever people decide to do this fall, it is recommended that they wear facial coverings and social distance.
