Governor Andrew Cuomo dismissed rumors Tuesday that Halloween trick-or-treating might be canceled next month due to the pandemic, declaring he has no intention of preventing kids from making their annual door-to-door quest for candy.
The rumor of Cuomo's consideration to ban trick-or-treating was fueled by a report published by the Niagara Falls Reporter, a tabloid which claims that, according to an unidentified "high-level Democratic lawmaker," the governor was planning to pull the plug later this month or in early October.
During an interview with News 12 Long Island's Tara Joyce, Cuomo said he has no intention of doing that.
"I would not ban trick-or-treaters going door to door. I don't think that's appropriate," he said. "You have neighbors - if you want to go knock on your neighbor's door, God bless you and I'm not going to tell you not to. If you want to go for a walk with your child through the neighborhood, I'm not going to tell you, you can't take your child to the neighborhood. I'm not going to do that. I'll give you my advice and guidance and then you will make a decision what you do that night."
Following an appearance in Cheektowaga Tuesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul backed the governor's words, saying their only concern would be for large gatherings such as parties or parades, noting that the pandemic is still active while New York has worked to keep its infection rate at or below one percent.
If anything, she suggests, they want to ensure children aren't denied the popular tradition, after putting up with months of other pandemic-related adjustments and cancellations.
"I think we always want to let families know that there's some sense of normalcy, that the little kids who are asking are they getting costumes - their lives have been so disrupted," she said. "The governor's just trying to say we'll leave it up to each individual parent to determine what's best for their children on Halloween."
Hochul, when asked what she'll distribute on Halloween, said she plans to hand out Kit Kats, though she joked that she'll likely hold on to a few for her own enjoyment.
And what about her costume?
"That's going to have to be something I'll think about. But I definitely know there'll be a really creative mask involved."
