New York State Department of Health has granted Santa Claus a waiver to travel to New York for Christmas, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday. While DOH has granted the waiver, Santa will be required to wear a mask this year.
“As I said, no state is an island, so you have to protect yourself and that’s what the quarantine rules did. But we have an unusual request, but DOH has been considering it for the past few days and they have actually granted the request. Santa Claus asked for an exception for the 14-day quarantine requirement because it would be impractical for him to be in the state and then quarantine and still get all his gifts delivered on time. DOH was flexible. They have granted the quarantine waiver, but Santa is required to wear a mask this year. I think you will still be able to recognize him even though he’ll be wearing a mask because he does have a fairly distinct outfit that he wears, plus his body style is fairly distinct. So, I don’t think there will be any issue in identifying Santa this year. He’ll be able to do his job, but do it safely because he’ll be wearing a mask. So, thank you, Dr. Zucker — I think that was a creative outcome to that waiver request,” Cuomo said.