NORTH BAY -- Could trick-or-treating on Halloween be the next casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Well in North Bay, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is discouraging families from going door-to-door collecting candy on the night of ghosts and goblins.

"It is just not the time to be doing anything that puts our kids in jeopardy," Fedeli told reporters Friday.

Fedeli is backing Premier Doug Ford who is 'worried' about the safety of kids. Ford said it made him nervous that children would go out in the middle of the pandemic and that he plans to look into it as we move closer to Halloween.

"We've got to do everything we can to discourage large gatherings and discourage things that aren't absolutely necessary," said Fedeli.

Fedeli was asked by CTV News what the difference was between trick-or-treating and the province's return to school plan.

"The numbers in Ontario are moving and we want to make sure we are back to that expression of flattening the curve," answered Fedeli.

"The chief medical officer of health has outlined a plan to put kids back in schools safely. To go out trick-or-treating, you're out on your own."

Fedeli's comments come after the city and the health unit cancelled its annual Santa Claus parade and the fire station's haunted house event.

"We don't know what our situation will look like in a month or more," said Medical Officer of Health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Dr. Jim Chirico.

"However, the organization of these events starts now."

The health unit says it is too early to make a decision on trick-or-treating in the district.

While positive case numbers are still low, the health unit is waiting for recommendations from the province.

"We want to make it safe for the children and there's different options that we haven't arrived at yet," said Chirico.

"For example, a small party in your social circle. That might be one option instead of going door-to-door."

While Fedeli and Chirico maintain a decision will be made for the safety of children, they add it would be a shame for kids to miss collecting candy.