DUBLIN: Ireland has ensured that the visit of Santa Claus will be something that will remain consistent. While there will be a Level 3 restriction in the country at Christmas time, Santa Claus will not be subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions when he arrives in Ireland next month.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed that Santa Claus has been considered an essential worker and told TDs that Santa will fly to Ireland on December 24 as usual.
Mr. Coveney said that the move will be a relief for the children across the country. At the same time, Minister warned that children should remain in their beds at night as there was a need for Santa to be socially distant.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said:
“It’s important to say to all children in the country that we regard Santa Claus’s travels as essential travel for essential purposes and therefore he is exempt from the need to self-quarantine for 14 days and should be able to come in and out of Irish airspace and indeed in and out of Irish homes without having to restrict his movement.”
“But I am assured that children should not stay up at night because he does need to social distance and so people need to keep at least two metres away at all stages to make sure that we keep him safe and indeed children as well.”
“So he’s exempt, he’s coming, he’s confirmed that, and he appreciates the fact that Ireland has ensured that in a very, very different Christmas in 2020, the visit of Santa Claus will be something that will remain consistent.”