With Halloween looming just six weeks away, children and parents should gear up for an unusual holiday as traditional trick-or-treating is “really not advised” during the coronavirus pandemic, a top California health official said Tuesday.

Although families shouldn’t lose excitement for Halloween or throw away the costumes altogether, festivities will look “very different,” said California Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mark Ghaly during his weekly media briefing — though he stopped short of explaining what exactly that means.

“You might wonder, ‘Should I pick up a couple of bags candy, because I am going to anticipate, like I do every year, trick or treaters at the door?'” Ghaly said. “Trick or treating — the type of mixing that comes in our traditional trick or treating festivities — is really not advised under COVID.”

It was not clear, however, whether health officials plan to outright prohibit trick-or-treating or advise mask-wearing and social distancing as the holiday nears. In the coming weeks, the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom will clarify rules for Halloween on a statewide basis, Ghaly said.

On Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would not ban trick-or-treating.

“I would not ban trick-or-treaters going door to door,” Cuomo said in an interview with News 12 Long Island. “I don’t think that’s appropriate. You have neighbors, if you want to go knock on your neighbor’s door, God bless you. 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 through the neighborhood; I’m not going to do that. I will give you my advice and guidance and then you will make the decision about what you do that night.”

Like closing beaches, the issue is fraught with political peril.

Last Tuesday, officials in Los Angeles County issued guidelines banning trick-or-treating, but then the next day after public outcry revised those rules to allow it.

Under the new rules, Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members are not permitted in Los Angeles County even if they are conducted outdoors. Similarly, Halloween carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are not allowed.

Trick-or-treating is not banned but is discouraged. According to guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, it “is not recommended because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread, and because sharing food is risky.”

Car parades, Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters, Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants, and Halloween decorations on homes are allowed in LA County.

Researchers have reported that the risk of contracting COVID outdoors is far lower than indoors.

Not letting kids trick-or-treat is “an overreaction,” Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a professor of medicine and public health at University of California, Los Angeles, told the Associated Press.

“It doesn’t surprise me, but it’s disappointing that we continue to make policy recommendations that are not based on the evidence,” Klausner said Wednesday.

Halloween isn’t the only holiday whose traditions have been threatened by COVID-19. With the Jewish High Holy Days beginning this Friday with Rosh Hashanah, State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan encouraged people to take advantage of online services, avoid meeting up with family or friends indoors, and stay away from communal food.

Into at least early next year, the health officials said, families must be adaptable in how they approach celebrations.

“We know this is a very important time, but we cannot let our guard down,” Pan said. “We know a lot of holidays are coming up and this is a time we all want to be together, but focus on those you live with, and stay virtually connected.”