Murphy to order children not to sit on Santa’s lap

Children will not be permitted to sit on Santa Claus’ lap this year and Santa and his helpers must wear masks, Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to announce today as part of a series of recommendations during the holiday season.

Murphy will ask New Jerseyans not to visit Santa at indoor locations, including shopping malls, but the State Department of Health will issue guidance today that limits Santa visits and Christmas caroling as part of a measure to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The New Jersey Globe has learned that Murphy will ask residents to find alternatives to indoor Santa visit.  The state is expected to suggest outdoor Santa photos that follow social distancing guidelines – or even virtual Santa visits.

The state is recommending virtual Santa visits this year.

But if shopping malls and other indoor locations still opt for a live interaction with Santa, the state is asking that this be done by appointment – with time limitations and adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Santa and his helpers must wear masks, along with any attendee over age two.

The Department of Health is expected to limit indoor holiday gatherings to household members, suggesting that Christmas tree and Menorah lightings be held outdoors, and that choirs and carolers be at least ten feet apart – from each other and the audience.

Carolers and audience members will need to wear masks, according to expected guidelines.

Murphy is discouraging holiday parades, but if they do occur, the state is asking for limited in-person attendance and live-streaming>

Santa and helpers in these parades will not be allowed to throw candy or other items to attendees.

In addition, holiday parades are discouraged. If holiday parades are organized, consider limiting in-person attendance and instead having the parade live-streamed so the public can view it virtually. Parade participants should not be permitted to throw items from their floats or cars to spectators.