Trick-or-treating this Halloween needs to comply with COVID-safe guidelines, with health authorities suggesting several changes to the popular tradition.

Trick-or-treating this Halloween needs to be different on Saturday, with families being urged follow COVID-safe guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.

COVID-SAFE RULES:

* Keep 1.5 metres apart
* Practise hand hygiene
* Stay home and get tested if unwell
* Wear a face mask if unable to physically distance

IF YOU PLAN TO HAND OUT TREATS:

* If you have any symptoms stay home, don't receive Halloween visitors and get tested
* If you are self-isolating, don't answer the door to trick-or-treaters
* Make it a front-yard event to avoid people coming to your front door
* Keep celebrations outdoors, decorate front yard
* In Melbourne restrictions prevent people entering property, including front yards and doorknocking
* Avoid people knocking on your door by putting up a sign saying: "We are home but due to COVID-19, we are distancing. Please take one, happy Halloween"
* In NSW you can only have 20 people on your property
* In Melbourne adults and children over 12 must wear a mask
* Only hand out individually wrapped treats
* Don't use communal lolly bowls
* Hang treats on your fence, front gate or place on your driveway
* Offer hand sanitiser at front gate or fence

TRICK-OR-TREATING:

* If you have any COVID-19 symptoms stay home and get tested
* Stay in your suburb
* Celebrate outside
* Don't go to people's front door
* Stay in small household groups
* In NSW no more than 30 people can gather outside in a public place
* In Melbourne only 10 people can gather outdoors
* Stay 1.5 metres away from people you don't live with
* Only take individually wrapped treats
* Use a disposable bag to collect treats
* Don't share treats
* Don't share costumes or face masks
* Carry hand sanitiser

SOURCE: NSW HEALTH