New rules for Santa's grotto as trainees prepare for COVID Christmas

London entertainment company Ministry of Fun has been running 'Santa School' for 25 years

Published: August 25, 2020 12:38 Reuters and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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London: Trainee Santas in Britain are learning how to make traditional grottos COVID-safe this year, with festive red velvet masks, spaced seating and a contact-free transfer of gift to child. Image Credit: REUTERS

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London entertainment company Ministry of Fun has been running "Santa School" for 25 years and this year started earlier than usual to reassure clients hiring a Santa and the public that it's possible to make the experience safer during the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A bottle of hand sanitiser is seen in front of an attendee of the Ministry of Fun Santa School during the class. in London, Britain August 24 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley Image Credit: REUTERS

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Trainer and organisation founder James Lovell said there are three key changes they have advised on Image Credit: REUTERS

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"We've created these masks, which, as you can see, they're red velvet with white fur trim, just like Santa's costume... I think a child will feel comfortable with that because I think we underestimate just how used to masks we all are. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Thirdly, the school has invented a small sleigh on which Santa puts presents and which children can pull towards them. Image Credit: AP

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"Secondly, there's the social distance grotto... Very easy to do and to make a child two metres away from Santa does not in any way take away from the magic," he added. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Last year he said they had over 1,000 bookings over an eight week period for Santas. This year bookings are at half the normal levels, Lovell added. Image Credit: AP

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Founder of the Ministry of Fun Santa School, James Lovell, teaches the names of Santa’s reindeer during the class in London, Britain. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Attendees of the Ministry of Fun Santa School are seen wearing protective visors and face masks during the class, in London, Britain. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A woman dressed as an elf poses for a photo with an attendee of the Ministry of Fun Santa School outside Southwark Cathedral in London Image Credit: REUTERS

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"People aren't entirely sure about what they can do. And I'm hoping that what we're doing here today at Santa School is showing people what they can do and that they can do it magically." Image Credit: AP

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One performer dressed as Santa said, "we have to be a bit distant from the children and also the grown ups too... but the fun and the joy and the love and the magic will never change." Image Credit: REUTERS

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An attendee of the Ministry of Fun Santa School is seen wearing a protective visor, in London, Britain. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Lovell did not say how much Santas are paid for appearing in grottos, but said the job was harder than it looked. Image Credit: REUTERS

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"It's very rare that an actor will have to stay in character and improvise and be magical to an audience of one or two standing a metre away from them. It takes a lot of concentration." Image Credit: AP

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