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Home Lifestyle Community Happenings Haunted houses in the age of COVID-19
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
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Haunted houses in the age of COVID-19

By
Autumn Lucas
-
October 13, 2020
0
Nightmare on 13th coronavirus terms and conditions
Nightmare on 13th added new rules and guidelines that visitors must follow amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Autumn Lucas)

For a Halloween unlike any we’ve seen before, it can be hard to figure out what you can and can’t do this October.

As the state of Utah implements new COVID-19 guidelines to try and reduce the spread in areas with higher transmission rates, a number of businesses are working to make sure their customers, employees and communities can have a safe spooky season.

The Globe visited two of the haunted attractions that are still open this fall, providing a first-hand look at what the new normal looks like in regard to frights.

Nightmare on 13th

Nightmare on 13th sign
Nightmare on 13th emblazoned on ruins in the waiting area. The haunted house adjusted some of its practices to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. (Autumn Lucas)

Nightmare on 13th is celebrating their 30th year in business with 30 Years of Terror.

“We wanted to give people a place to come and forget about the real terrors in the world right now,” said Jake Maebey, the general manager at Nightmare on 13th. “And we’re doing it in a perfectly safe environment.”

Nightmare on 13th follows all the guidelines handed down from Gov. Gary Herbert and the state of Utah as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All cast members are screened for symptoms and must wear face masks. The haunted house also switched to a timed ticketing system, so customers have a 30-minute window and there is less time spent in line.

Customers may need to touch some surfaces as they go through the haunted house, but there are dedicated staff who clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces, both inside and outside the attraction, throughout each night.

In addition to all other precautions, all customers are required to maintain at least six feet of distance between groups and wear face masks throughout the entirety of the attraction. If they remove their face mask while inside the attraction the actors will not interact with them.

The Haunted Forest

Haunted Forest sign
The Haunted Forest in American Fork remains open during the coronavirus pandemic. The outdoor venue accommodates social distancing. (Autumn Lucas)

The Haunted Forest, located in American Fork, is one of Utah’s only major outdoor haunted attractions open this fall. This allows for a unique opportunity to social distance and gives each group more space between the eighty “wait here” signs posted throughout the attraction.

“Obviously, the Haunted Forest is a safer option than any indoor haunt because it is outside; going through the entire haunt on 20 acres of property, there is plenty of room for social distancing,” said Susie Carlson, a representative for the Haunted Forest. “And we’re encouraging no one to bunch up and for them to stay away from the parties in front and behind them.”

Everyone working at the Haunted Forest wears face coverings to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. All customers need to follow local and state COVID-19 guidelines; under the new health guidance levels, Utah County is considered a high transmission area, which requires the use of face masks.

The Haunted Forest recommends that customers purchase their tickets online to bypass the ticket line.

Both these experiences offer different outlooks and advantages. During the coronavirus pandemic, the CDC considers indoor haunted houses to be a higher risk activity, while similar outdoor activities are moderate risk. Everyone needs to assess the risk for themselves and take the necessary precautions to be as safe as possible.

It is important to do our part to keep our state safe, so we can all have a fun and safe October in the wholly unpredictable and crazy times we’re living through.

Halloween during COVID-19: Nightmare on 13th and the Haunted Forest
1 of 21
Entrance to Nightmare on 13th
This sinister scene welcomes guests as they enter Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. Nightmare on 13th is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has been occupying the same building on 1300 S. and 300 W. for 29 of those 30 years. (Will Samsky)
Creep Show, right, and Purple People Eater
Creep Show and Purple People Eater wait for the perfect moment to scare guests in the maze at Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. Most characters at Nightmare on 13th have names, and many actors return each season to reprise their roles. (Will Samsky)
Chainsaw-wielding character wearing a mask
A nameless character taunts guests with a chainsaw, its two-stroke motor fills the maze with a terrifying roar and the smell of exhaust fumes. The actors are generally young adults who work part time, and some would do the job just for the enjoyment of scaring guests. (Will Samsky)
Lady Blanche, wearing a mask, holds a candle
Lady Blanche stands to greet guests as they exit the haunted house at Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. She is a welcome sight after the terrors that guests endured while walking through the dimly lit maze. (Will Samsky)
Pumpkinhead sign requiring masks
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Nightmare on 13th requires visitors to wear masks on the property. (Autumn Lucas)
Headless Horseman
The Headless Horseman poised above guests at Nightmare on 13th. Haunted houses underwent some operational changes because of COVID-19. (Autumn Lucas)
Movie screens in background
Nightmare on 13th plays some pre-recorded segments as guests wait enter the attraction. The haunted house made changes to comply with coronavirus guidelines. (Autumn Lucas)
Scarecrow pumpkin
A pumpkin-headed scarecrow stands guard over Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. The haunted house is celebrating 30 years of operation in 2020. (Autumn Lucas)
Ghouls and pumpkin heads
Nightmare on 13th has entertained thrillseekers for 30 years. (Autumn Lucas)
Ghoul holds Nightmare on 13th sign
Nightmare on 13th remains open during the coronavirus pandemic. Patrons must wear masks and comply with other local health guidelines. (Autumn Lucas)
Pumpkin man holds ghoul beside green tower
Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City celebrates 30 Years of Terror in 2020. The haunted house is following coronavirus guidelines to remain open during the pandemic. (Autumn Lucas)
Nightmare on 13th actor scaring customers
An actor interacts with customers on the concourse outside Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. The haunted house requires its staff to wear masks to protect against the spread of COVID-19. (Autumn Lucas)
Three women wearing masks that read "Sounds Gay I'm In!"
A group of friends celebrate a bachelorette party at Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City. The haunted house follows Salt Lake County health guidelines, which require customers to wear masks. (Autumn Lucas)
Skeleton waves
A skeleton greets guests on their way into the Haunted Forrest in American Fork. The outdoor venue accommodates social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Autumn Lucas)
Haunted Forest hearse
As an outdoor venue, the Haunted Forest in American Fork enables the practice of social distancing. (Autumn Lucas)
SIgn reads "Please mind your distance"
A sign advises social distancing near the concessions stand at The Haunted Forest in American Fork. Haunted houses have adapted their operations to comply with coronavirus guidelines. (Autumn Lucas)
Zombie holds skull
Customers have many frightening photo opportunities at the Haunted Forest in American Fork. (Autumn Lucas)
Sign reads "Wait here 6 feet apart"
The Haunted Forest has 84 "Wait Here" signs throughout the attraction to remind guests to keep six feet of social distance. (Autumn Lucas)
Patrons walk underneath Haunted Forest screen
The rush of guests waiting to enter the Haunted Forest in American Fork. Before the COVID-19 Transmission Index, Utah County did not require the use of face coverings. (Autumn Lucas)
"Wait Here" signs outside the Haunted Forest
Guests wait in line to enter the Haunted Forest in American Fork. New coronavirus guidelines will require customers to wear masks at the venue. (Autumn Lucas)
People sit together by a campfire
Visitors sit around a campfire at the Haunted Forest in American Fork. Before the COVID-19 Transmission Index, Utah County recommended but did not require the use of face masks. (Autumn Lucas)
  • TAGS
  • Center for Disease Control
  • coronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Halloween
  • Haunted Forest
  • Haunted Houses
  • Jake Maebey
  • Nightmare on 13th
  • photo gallery
  • Susie Carlson
  • Utah
Autumn Lucas

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