No quarantine: ‘Essential worker’ Santa has permission to enter NSW
The children of NSW can rest easy: Santa has been declared an essential worker and given special permission to enter NSW to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
NSW
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Santa Claus is coming to town this Christmas and he got the paperwork sorted to magic his way into every NSW home without spreading the coronavirus.
The jolly man-in-red’s status as an “essential worker” has been confirmed at the highest levels of the NSW government, with Health Minister Brad Hazzard granting Mr Claus, his reindeer and “any elves required to assist with delivery of presents” permission to enter the state without completing a 14-day quarantine.
And on a federal basis, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that the closure of borders would not impact Santa’s movements around Australia.
“Santa gets to move wherever he likes, and certainly at Christmas,” Mr Morrison said.
“If there’s one exemption I don’t think there’d be any disagreement about (this is it).”
After a difficult year of school closures, lockdowns and cancelled birthday parties, the state’s children can rest easy ahead of the Christmas holiday season.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mr Hazzard sent a letter to Mr Claus at “123 Elf Rd, North Pole” this month to inform him he is free to “bring joy” to the millions of children living in NSW.
Despite Santa’s “magical powers” allowing him to “travel the world safely without transmitting COVID-19” Mr Hazzard has still set out some ground rules.
Presents must be delivered “after bed time” to minimise contact, Santa and his elves must stay 1.5m away from others, wash their hands regularly and wear a mask if unable to social distance.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian also offered her reassurance to children who may be worried about Santa bringing COVID-19 into the state: “Based on the latest health advice, there is no risk of catching coronavirus from Santa.”
In the US this week, infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci revealed Santa had “innate immunity” to the coronavirus, while UK PM Boris Johnson promised the delivery of presents would not be disrupted by the pandemic.
Edie Docherty, 7, was thrilled to learn Santa’s vital visit would not be hindered by the coronavirus pandemic.
She said she was “worried” about COVID-19, but doesn’t think there will be any risk of catching it from Santa because he “wears gloves”.
Psychologist at the Happiness Institute Dr Tim Sharp said it was natural for children to have some level of anxiety about the pandemic.
“It’s a difficult challenge, (for parents), you could point to the fact the Health Minister has approved Santa because they believe it is safe,” he said.
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