“Trick-or-treat” — the magic words children say to fill up their bags with candy.

But, this Halloween, neighbors may not hear it as much.

“If you want to hand out candy this year, maybe put a table outside in your driveway and space out the candy so kids can grab and go to avoid any congestion around your house,” said Dr. Jana Shaw, an Upstate University Hospital pediatric infectious disease specialist.

Shaw and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said it’s important for families to take safety precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s lost upon us that after we have holiday weekends, a period of time after that, we see upticks,” said McMahon. “So, we need to be smart with our gatherings. We need to be smart with our own families. Trick-or-treat in small groups.”

Shaw said children and adults must wear a mask, and your costume one doesn’t count.

“It’s a mask that really covers your face that is made from fabric or other materials that allow filtration of the virus,” said Shaw. “It’s important that you keep a distance from others and don’t engage in any indoors activities.”

Shaw says that includes haunted houses. She hopes people celebrate safely, especially as COVID-19 cases among youth rise.

“Please remember the virus is serious,” said Shaw. “It’s not just the flu. The morality rate from this virus is far greater than it is for influenza, and unlike the flu, we don’t have a medication for it that we can readily take and protect ourselves.”

While trick-or-treating is allowed in Onondaga County, people in other areas are going to have to wait until next year. Chemung County officials are asking residents to avoid the traditional door-to-door methods, and in Elmira, it’s prohibited.