Dr Tony Holohan has given primary school students some fantastic news about Santa's upcoming trip to Ireland.
As it stands, everyone who arrives into Ireland has to have a negative antigen or PCR test in line with their Covid recovery or vaccination status.
Masks are mandatory in most indoor settings, while there are some guidelines around transport too.
The Chief Medical Officer addressed pupils from Scoil Chaitríona in Dublin and Réalt na Mara GNS, Donacarney in Meath to answer some very important questions they had about Christmas.
Some of the students in Senior Infants and First Class were very worried about Covid impacting Christmas, one student asked if Santa had to get a Covid test before visiting other countries.
Tony said: “Santa has very magical powers to protect him from picking up Covid, so we know he’s not going to get it.
“He’s able to travel around freely and visit different countries and houses. We don’t have to worry about Santa picking up Covid or passing it onto other people. That’s good news.
“The other bit of good news is that the reindeer can’t get Covid either. Santa and the reindeer will still be able to do their business on Christmas Eve for all the boys and girls who are good.
“They don’t need a Covid test either because they’re not going to pick up Covid and pass it around the world, so we don’t need to worry about that.
“Santa and Mrs Claus don’t pick up Covid and they have a lot of elves to look after them. They’re very far away from other people, so that keeps them safe.
“Santa's workshop wasn’t closed during Covid, you don’t have to worry about things like that.
“All you have to worry about is just being good for your parents and going to bed early on Christmas Eve,” Dr Holohan continued.
.png?w=600)
