Santa Claus Declared an Essential Worker!
As Christmas draws nearer, children across the globe can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite restrictions on international travel, Santa Claus will still be able to visit their homes in time for the holidays.
Santa Claus has been declared an essential worker by officials from multiple governments and heads of state, freeing him up for his annual trip to distribute gifts to kids around the world.
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, recently announced that Santa Claus has been officially exempted from travel restrictions. His speech at Ireland’s parliament, the Dáil, was posted on Twitter.
“We regard Santa Claus’ travel as essential travel, for essential purposes, and therefore he should be able to come in and out of shared spaces and Irish homes,” Coveney said in his speech. “But…children do not need to stay up at night, as he does need to social distance,” he added.
Coveney reassured all Irish citizens, especially children. “He’s exempt, he’s coming, he’s confirmed that, and he appreciates the fact that Ireland has ensured that during a very, very different Christmas in 2020, the visit of Santa Claus will be something that remains consistent.”
Coveney wasn’t the only politician who reached out to his youngest constituents to reassure them that Santa Claus has special permission to visit their homes. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson published a letter from a concerned UK citizen named Monti, who asked if Santa will still be allowed to make his annual house calls, according to Daily Mail.
The letter reads: “Dear Mr. Johnson, I am eight years old and was wondering if you and the government had thought about Santa coming this Christmas. If we leave hand sanitizer by the cookies, can he come? Or will he wash his hands? I understand you are very busy, but can you and the scientists please talk about this.”
Johnson wrote back on official 10 Downing Street stationery: “Many thanks for your letter which raises the very important question of whether Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year in spite of Coronavirus.
“I know millions of other children are asking the same thing. Just to make sure, I have put in a call to the North Pole and I can tell you Father Christmas is ready and raring to go, as are Rudolph and all of the other reindeer.”
Johnson then suggested that children should be leaving hand sanitizer by the cookies, use it themselves, and wash their own hands regularly. In fact, Santa would approve, as following these precautions would merit them a place on the “nice list.”
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight for 65 years, also has reassuring news about Santa’s upcoming journey. A NORAD spokesperson told CTV News that they expect Santa’s round-the-world journey to take place as usual since Santa has safely delivered presents to children in previous pandemics. This year should not be any different.
In a statement mailed to CTV News from Santa’s office which is located in the Arctic Circle of Rovaniemi, Finlan said, “Mr. Claus has confirmed that this year’s festivities will not be put on hold or postponed.”
Although Mr. Claus does not have to quarantine when entering a new country, he will have to follow public health recommendations including social distancing rules and the proper use of reindeer back scratchers.
After a challenging year, children can now look forward to keeping up the annual Christmas tradition of laying out cookies for Santa ahead of his visit. Even if gathering with extended families may not be possible, Santa Claus will continue to inspire wonder and joy in children, young and old, throughout the world.
