Residents of California are justifiably outraged today as state officials have imposed draconian new restrictions on the movements of old St. Nick this holiday season. Fearful that Santa may spread Covid in addition to all the Christmas joy he brings, Governor Newsome along with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have all warned Santa to pay close attention to local rules when making his Christmas deliveries.
Statewide, Santa is prohibited from entering any home the night before Christmas. The Governor’s order permits Santa only to drop presents down the chimney or leave them outside the front door of the residence. If residents would like their stockings stuffed, they are to hang them by the front door with care. Additionally, any cookies, milk, hot cocoa or other refreshments provided for Santa’s enjoyment are to be left outside the home. Due to outdoor dining restrictions, Santa may only consume said refreshments within the confines of his sleigh.
“Health experts have warned us that a superspreader Santa event is likely if we don’t take extreme precautions,” said the governor.
While Santa is required to wear a mask as he makes his California deliveries, in Los Angeles he faces additional restrictions. “There will be no ‘ho ho hoing’ by Mr. Claus while inside the Los Angeles city limits. Each ‘ho’ has the potential to spread thousands of droplets and thereby infect countless residents. Also, we again remind Santa that this city established a noise ordinance several years ago that he and his sleigh bells have yet to comply with,” said Mayor Garcetti.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed encouraged Santa to take a different approach this holiday season. “We find it extremely irresponsible of Kris Kringle to insist on carrying on this tradition during a pandemic. However, if he must deliver presents to the children of this city, we suggest he email them a gift card. If we catch him on our streets, he will be detained and his sleigh impounded.”
Reached for comment at the North Pole, Santa’s head elf released a statement: “We understand that the current pandemic has added a new layer of bureaucratic complexity to an already complicated world. Santa is committed to playing it safe and following all executive and legislative orders. That said, Santa knows which leaders have been bad or good, naughty or nice, and which have defied their own orders and dined on $500-a-plate dinners with wealthy donors. So be good for goodness sake.”
If there is something 