Why Santa will be looking a little different this Christmas – as COVID-19 restrictions change the holiday season forever
- Coronavirus has forced waves of younger men to apply for the role of Santa
- Older men are concerned about catching COVID-19 from shopping centres
- Children will also be banned from sitting on Father Christmas' knee
The coronavirus pandemic could change the festive season forever as children are banned from sitting on Santa's knee and younger men are recruited for the role.
COVID-19 restrictions will force a wave of younger generation of men to don red suits in shopping centres this Christmas.
The change comes as older men who traditionally play the part fear contracting the respiratory illness.
The role of Santa Claus will be played by younger men this year. Pictured: Lauren Phillips, Santa and Rebecca Judd at a Christmas Luncheon at The Atlantic at Crown Casino
The Scene to Believe group, who manage Father Christmas actors in shopping centres in more than 200 locations in Australia and New Zealand, are encouraging younger men to apply.
'COVID has reshaped our ideas of who Santa needs to be and it means that he's not necessarily defined by age,' a spokeswoman for the recruitment group told The Daily Telegraph.
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Rowan Stewart, 37, is one of the successful applicants and believes the role will be relatively easy.
'Well, you're basically just talking and playing with kids for four to five hours and everyone just really likes you, you're like a bit of celebrity and it's just great fun,' he said.
Santa Claus sits in his chair as he poses for photographs at Luna Park on December 24, 2018
When asked about whether he thinks youngsters will notice if Kris Kringle is slimmer and younger than tradition dictates, Mr Stewart said he would explain that Santa has been on a health binge.
'I'd just say that Santa's been on those low-calorie biscuits and he's been doing a lot of working out, and thank them for the compliment.'
Children also won't be allowed to sit on Santa's knee this year as a result of the virus, but the new recruit doesn't believe it will detract from the magic of Christmas.
'You've still got the entire experience, the beautiful set and the trees and the reindeer and elves, so it's all of that and plus they're meeting Santa.'
Veteran Father Christmas' will be involved in training the new cadet on how to embody the role.
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