Children need not worry about Santa, he's 'immune to Covid-19': WHO
Children need not worry about Santa, he's 'immune to Covid-19': WHO
A lighthearted exchange between a World Health Organisation rep and and a journalist alleviated an otherwise serious conversation about the global pandemic.
2 min read
WHO reassured children of Santa's health [Getty]
The World Health Organisation has released a statement reassuring children that Santa Claus will be handing out presents over the Christmas period, as he is immune to Covid-19.
During a light-hearted moment at a press conference about the pandemic and its effect on festivities, WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove told a journalist:
"I understand the concern for Santa, because he is of older age," she said in response to a journalist’s question about the older figure having a heightened risk from coronavirus.
"I can tell you that Santa Claus is immune to this virus," said Van Kerkhove.
"We had a brief chat with him and he is doing very well and Mrs Claus is doing very well, and they are very busy right now," she said.
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She went on to say that after speaking to world leaders, they agreed to relax quarantine measures to allow Santa and his reindeers to travel across the world unincumbered.
"So he will be able to travel in and out of the airspace and be able to deliver presents to children," she said.
Van Kerkhove did warn children that social distancing remains a priority.
"I think it is very important that all the children of the world understand that physical distancing by Santa Claus and also of the children themselves must be strictly enforced," she said.
Kids should listen to their parents and "make sure that they go to bed early on Christmas Eve," she said, emphasising that "Santa will be able to travel around the world to deliver presents."
In the UK, Boris Johnson announced that the capital will go into Tier 4 restrictions, as a new strain of the coronavirus is "up to 75 per cent times more infectious" and is prevalent in London.
During a light-hearted moment at a press conference about the pandemic and its effect on festivities, WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove told a journalist:
"I understand the concern for Santa, because he is of older age," she said in response to a journalist’s question about the older figure having a heightened risk from coronavirus.
"I can tell you that Santa Claus is immune to this virus," said Van Kerkhove.
"We had a brief chat with him and he is doing very well and Mrs Claus is doing very well, and they are very busy right now," she said.
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She went on to say that after speaking to world leaders, they agreed to relax quarantine measures to allow Santa and his reindeers to travel across the world unincumbered.
"So he will be able to travel in and out of the airspace and be able to deliver presents to children," she said.
Van Kerkhove did warn children that social distancing remains a priority.
"I think it is very important that all the children of the world understand that physical distancing by Santa Claus and also of the children themselves must be strictly enforced," she said.
Kids should listen to their parents and "make sure that they go to bed early on Christmas Eve," she said, emphasising that "Santa will be able to travel around the world to deliver presents."
In the UK, Boris Johnson announced that the capital will go into Tier 4 restrictions, as a new strain of the coronavirus is "up to 75 per cent times more infectious" and is prevalent in London.
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