Santa welcome but no zessing or weddings in Trinidad and Tobago

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is lobbying for an exemption for Santa Claus to be allowed here this Christmas.

In a post on his Facebook page today, the commissioner expressed hope that Trinidad and Tobago would approve an exemption as an essential worker.

He also hoped Santa would be given full clearance to be free of all covid19 restrictions.

The message, which was directed to all police units, cited Ireland, where that country's Parliament recognised Santa as an essential worker.

"Hopefully, same would be approved in Trinidad and Tobago, and he would be given similar full clearance by the Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer, via amendments in the next Public Health Ordinance Regulations.

This would definitely avoid any embarrassment to Santa by the Police."

Griffith said he hoped Santa would also be exempted the seven-day quarantine period, prior to 24th December.

This country's borders were closed to national and non-nationals on March 22 as part of the measures adopted to reduce the exposure to covid19 and people who are allowed to enter must remain in quarantine for up to seven days.

"It is also expected that an exemption would be given for him not to be covid tested prior to entry, as it would be impractical for the poor guy to take over 200 covid tests in one night upon touchdown in every country that night.

"He would be provided with an exemption certificate, so if held in a roadblock, it would be shown and he can be allowed to proceed. Let us be kind and courteous to our guest."

He noted that in Northern and Tobago Divisions, intelligence had revealed that Santa intended to use air travel but said the exemption did not include reindeer.

Griffith said as there were 10 reindeer, they would be in breach of covid regulations which limits assemblies to no more than 10.

"Unless a waiver of this restriction is also given for this, we must act in accordance with the law.

However, rather than impose a fine on Santa and the reindeer, if held, simply ask him to continue his duty on Christmas Eve, but he must leave one reindeer behind, so the number would be less than 10.

Most probably it would be Dasher. He can be housed at the Mounted and Canine Branch until Santa's departure, whereby, he can then be released from custody, to re-join the other 9."

He said even though Santa may be given clearance of certain restrictions, and there would be few restrictions when he enters private property, however, if he is found in a zesser party or at weddings in a public place on Christmas Eve, the police would be obliged to act in accordance with the law.