Yellowknife — December 18, 2020
In an effort to ensure Santa Claus is able to safely and effectively deliver toys to children in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on December 25, the Government of the Northwest Territories has declared Mr. Claus a seasonal essential worker and granted a four-hour self-isolation exemption.
The exemption, issued by NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola, allows Mr. Claus to deliver gifts to homes during the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for non-resident workers. Mr. Claus must follow strict rules during the exemption period to lower the public health risk of COVID-19 spread in the territory.
Mr. Claus is required to wear a face mask while he is delivering gifts in all 33 NWT communities, and to carefully monitor Rudolph and elves for any symptoms of COVID-19. The exemption and complete set of conditions are attached to this release and posted to the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) COVID website.
Quotes
“I am delighted that Dr. Kandola has personally reached out to Santa Claus this unprecedented holiday season to discuss evidence-based protocols to keep Mr. Claus, his team and all NWT families safe during Christmas Eve deliveries.”
- Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“Santa Claus is as much a man of science as he is a cherished icon of holiday wonder and magic. He is confident the conditions of his Christmas Eve isolation exemption will keep everyone safe. Santa deeply appreciates being permitted to deliver toys to NWT children, who he understands have been extraordinarily well-behaved during the pandemic.”
- Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories
Quick facts
· To date, the North Pole has not had any confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19.
· Santa Claus, Rudolph and all reindeer and elves scheduled to travel through Northwest Territories’ airspace on Christmas Eve 2020 have received specialized training via Zoom to keep the territory’s families safe during holiday deliveries.
Related links
· Holiday Guidelines for the Northwest Territories (print-ready guidelines available)
For all COVID-19 Media Requests, please contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
