Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Santa Claus won't be quarantining at the North Pole and has guaranteed he, and his helpers would be spotted in Dubbo in the lead up to Christmas this year.
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However Santa has revealed a trimmed down diary for his shopping centre visits this Christmas.
While Santa won't be stopping at Harvey Norman or Pet Barn this year, he will still be making it to Dubbo Square and will have his helper, Mrs Claus accompanying him.
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"Mrs Claus will be assisting our shoppers and Santa to adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols," Charter Hall's Dana Irving said.
"Protecting the health and wellbeing of Santa, Mrs Claus and our community remains our priority.
"We understand that the kids will be very excited to see Santa and Mrs Claus this year but we do ask that they maintain a 1.5 metre distance at all times."
Santa and Mrs Claus will be at the centre from December 10 until December 24 for four hours a day.
The annual Santa photos will be available, however Santa will remain on his fenced set while children will be asked to stand just outside the fence line.
A COVID-safe Santa will also be visiting Myer Dubbo.
"Although some experiences may look a little different, we will still be bringing the magic and joy of Christmas to life at the store through our popular Giftorium with its leading range of gifting, personalisation and on-trend Christmas trim, as well as experiences including being able to visit and have your photo taken with our COVID-safe Santa," Myer Dubbo store manager Justin Cole said.
Santa will also be visiting the Orana Mall, along a virtual added twist.
"We will be hosting Santa, but we're adding something even more special to Christmas this year," centre manager James Wall said.
More details will be released closer to Christmas.
Children should aim to post their Christmas wish lists to Santa this year.
At more than 1700 years old, Santa has lived through other pandemics, including the Great Plague of London (1665/66), the Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic (1793), the Spanish Flu (1918-20) and the Swine Flu (2009/10).
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