UCSB rolls out Halloween weekend restrictions to reduce COVID-19 spread

ISLA VISITA, Calif. — The biggest concern for COVID-19 spread in Santa Barbara County is in Isla Vista. According to the Santa Barbara County COVID-19 Dashboard, the community has 35 confirmed active cases of COVID-19. That’s tied for the most in the county. Santa Maria also has 35 confirmed active cases, but has about four times the population.

University of California Santa Barbara released new guidelines for students and the community to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during Halloween weekend. UCSB will put extra restrictions on the week leading up to Halloween and the weekend itself.

UCSB officials state, starting October 26 through November 4 there will be a sound ordinance prohibiting loud music from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Daily visitor permits will be restricted on October 30 and 31. They will expire at midnight on both days. And overnight parking will be only allowed for valid permits on campus.

UCSB Junior Madigan Boborci said, "I'm disappointed that we're still being affected by [COVID-19]."

Many students said the new regulations did not surprise them. Some even supported them.

"We live off of DP, which is like the street closest to the water," said junior Pia Ramos. "And where all the parties always happen, and it's always loud there. So definitely putting some restrictions to all the large gathering and you know filled with random students who are just now meeting each other is definitely a safe bet."

Freshman Tim Schelly said, "I think they're trying the best to minimize the cases around here. Especially with a bunch of people moving up now. So I think it's a good first couple of steps to take."

A regulation with mixed reactions was the ban on loud music at night.

Freshman Miles Ambroggio said, "I don't think loud music means, like big parties or whatever. Like you can be playing loud music with a small group. So that's kind of, I feel like that's a little random."

While sophomore Corinna Basch countered, "It's probably going to be the most effective, just because that deals with legal issues. And I think that's one of the only big things that's going to keep students in line is that if the police are involved."

To make up for the restrictions the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSB) will host a community-wide virtual event. The event “Halloween at Home: Virtually Lucid in Isla Vista” will go live October 30 at 7 p.m.. 

For more information about UCSB plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during Halloween, visit UCSB’s website.