(Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa says COVID-19 has minimal impact on North Pole operations and present delivery

Dec 10, 2020 | 8:40 AM

With Christmas now 15 days away, Santa’s workshop at the North Pole is bustling with activity and dealing with added concerns this year to COVID-19.

But despite his busy schedule, Santa Claus himself agreed to give paNOW a short interview and discuss any changes in operations. First and foremost, Santa wanted assure everyone that he is in good health, has no symptoms, and is as jolly as ever.

“Santa was around before COVID and he’ll be around long after COVID that’s for sure,” he said. “Christmas is on the 25th of December, so we are on track for that.”

In terms of operations at the North Pole, Claus explained he, Mrs. Claus, and the elves have been very isolated from the rest of the world. He added they are not taking anything for granted and have done a lot of additional sterilizing just in case, leaving no toy unturned. They have also paid close attention to protocols recommended by the World Health Organization.

“All stuff I’m sure you are doing in your home too,” he said.

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As per tradition on Christmas Eve, families will be laying out plates of treats and cups of milk. Santa said if it makes parents feel better, the cookies can be placed in small plastic bags but added it’s not necessary,

“Santa is sterilizing as he is going along and even the elves are wearing masks,” he said, adding all the reindeer have also received their annual vaccination shots early. “Blitzen wanted to wear a mask too but I told him he didn’t have to,” Santa said chuckling.

Santa says he is packing an extra big bottle of hand sanitizer for his trip around the world. (Submitted photo)

With more children at home and plenty of time to draft their letters and emails to Santa, the mailroom at the north pole has been flooded. Santa explained he’s actually been going through letters since June.

When asked about common themes this year, Santa replied electronics are popular requests for both the boys and girls (phones and computers), but added a lot of girls are still asking for Hatchimals, Barbies, and LOL dolls.

One big change to note this year is Santa’s inability to travel to malls. COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world have just not made it possible, so Santa has been forced to rely on more helpers. Garry Hagen, a retired city employee, has been helping Santa the past two years by looking after business at the Gateway Mall in Prince Albert.

The big change he’s faced this year is that there are no kids or adults physically sitting on his lap. Rather, Hagen stands behind a set while the guests pose for pictures in front, giving the illusion Santa is waving at them through a window.

“It’s kind of nice, you get to relax a little bit and don’t have to worry about how heavy some people are or how light they are and the crying babies sometimes,” he said, adding he still enjoys being able to look children in the eye and ask them what they want for Christmas.

Obviously, the job of helping Santa requires a great deal of responsibility and a certain type of character. Last year when a friend asked he would be interested in doing it, Hagen said he jumped at the opportunity.

“I said sounds good. I like kids and being around people so ho ho ho,” he said

Posing for a picture with Santa. (Submitted photo)

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell