El Paso County Judge Clears Santa for Travel, Says Christmas Present Delivery ‘Essential’

Good news, kids. It’s going to take more than a worldwide pandemic to keep Santa Claus from coming to town.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego declared on Monday that curfews, quarantine rules, and travel restrictions will not apply to Jolly Ole Saint Nick. Call it the COVID Clause, if you will.

In a lighthearted departure from the usual business discussed, Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution designating Santa's trip to El Paso County as essential clearing the way for the Big Guy in Red to deliver presents to all on the 'Nice List' on Christmas day.

"There are some traditions that must continue, such as the visit of Santa Claus in order to give the children of our community the miracle of Christmas magic," explains the County press release.

"It is important to express to the children of El Paso, that the annual trip of Santa Claus will be designated as “essential travel” for essential purposes, and is exempt from the need to self-quarantine and will be able to come in and out of our community without having to restrict his movement."

While that should ease any fears children may have had about the coronavirus cancelling Christmas, the resolution notes children must still go to bed early on Christmas Eve.

Children should not stay up all night because [Santa] does need to social distance while delivering presents and drinking milk and eating cookies.

And in case your child is worried about Santa possibly becoming infected as he traverses the world, let him or her know that Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told USA Today that Santa has the magic dust and is immune to COVID-19. “Santa is exempt from this because Santa, of all the good qualities, has a lot of good innate immunity,” Fauci told USA Today. “Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody.”

So now that it’s official, kids, remember not to pout, shout, or cry because your Uncle Mikey has it on good authority that Santa is currently reviewing the 'Nice' and 'Naughty' list and will be making any changes that need to be made. And Elf on a Shelf has no problem snitching you out.