Macy’s canceled their nearly 160-year-old tradition of hosting Santa Claus in their midtown Manhattan store because of COVID-19.
More than a quarter of a million people typically shuffle through the store’s elaborate Santaland each Christmas season, but the close quarters of the attraction have rendered it impossible in the age of social distancing, according to the Associated Press.
Santa will also not be appearing in the Macy’s in Chicago or San Francisco, though he will be making an appearance at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which has also had to undergo adjustments to comply with health guidelines.
Macy’s is offering a virtual Santaland experience on its website, however. “Moving to a virtual engagement will safely bring the magic of Santa Claus to children of all ages this year,” Macy’s told the AP.
Many big malls are keeping their Santa displays, the AP reported, but children will be forced to maintain a six-foot distance from him.
Santa Claus is not the only holiday tradition to have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Halloween has also been spoiled in places such as Beverly Hills, which has banned trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating, and giving candy to anyone outside of one’s family…
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