Shopping centre Santa photos return, NSW, ACT, Victoria reveal Covid plans

Shopping centres won’t let the Covid-19 Grinch take Christmas away as Santa will return for photos. See how it will affect you.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa is back.

The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) has revealed Saint Nick will be back thanks to the ACT, NSW and Victorian government’s releasing targeted dates and roadmaps for the reopening of all retail and hospitality premises.

With less than three months until the festive season, shopping centres say they won’t be letting the Covid-19 Grinch steal the Christmas joy again.

“Christmas is the season that shopping centres and all retail look forward to, and coming out of lockdowns that sense of anticipation is even stronger than ever,” SCCA Executive Director Angus Nardi said.

“Shopping centres have remained open throughout the pandemic. We know from ongoing experience that when lockdowns and restrictions on retail ease, there is a strong rebound in customer demand as people return to shop, meet with friends, enjoy time with their family and celebrate.”

Santa Claus will look a little different this year.

Mr Nardi said they are already preparing to host traditional visits with Santa Claus – except with festive new precautions in place.

Sitting on Santa’s knee may also a thing of the past, no matter if kids have been naughty or nice, thanks to social distancing.

Meanwhile, masks may be mandatory depending on the health advice in each state.

Retailers in NSW will be able to open their doors for the first time in months on October 11, as part of the latest easing of restrictions announced on Monday.

Initially only vaccinated residents will be allowed back in stores, and retail outlets will be subject to density limits. Unvaccinated residents will not be able to return to normality until at least December 1.

Shopping Centre Council of Australia Executive Director Angus Nardi.

A Covid-safe Santa Claus is better than no Santa Claus. Picture: Jenny Evans

However, Victoria’s roadmap will only allow shopping strips open for outside trade once they hit the 70 per cent vaccination rate, likely to be around October 26, with all retail to open at 80 per cent.

Masks, social distancing and QR codes are some of the measures that will be strictly enforced to allow retailers to open their bricks and mortar stores to customers for the first time in months.

But with vaccine passports set to be introduced, forcing shoppers to declare they have had their jab when walking into stores, Mr Nardi is calling for respect towards frontline retail workers.

“We also ask our customers to treat retail and shopping centre workers, and other customers, with courtesy and respect,” he said.

“We remind customers that abusive, violent and anti-social behaviour towards workers and other customers is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”