Children across Belgium received with joy the announcement that Saint Nicholas would be exempt from the Covid-19 restrictions. Interior Minister, Annelies Verlinden, and Health Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, wrote a playful joint letter to Saint Nicholas confirming the exception. “We urge do what you do best: make every child happy. We are counting on you,” they wrote. The letter was published by Belgian news outlet, Le Soir.
Children in Belgium will be able to receive their annual presents from St. Nicholas on the 6th of December, as usual. The ministers confirmed Nicholas would not have to quarantine after arriving in Belgium from Spain, where he resides. He has thus full liberty to deliver the presents, even during curfew hours.
Belgium’s health care system has been under strain due to the dramatic increase in coronavirus contagion cases and deaths. The government curfews and quarantine measures to try to minimize the spread of the virus.
The ministers reminded St. Nicholas that it was crucial to “respect social distancing and wash hands regularly. The bearer of gifts also needs to wear a mask “despite his long beard.”
The visit of Saint Nicholas is a tradition in Belgium and The Netherlands, and each year the 6th of December is a celebration long awaited by most Belgian children. The ministers finished the letter by stating, ”Every child is a hero, and for once you don’t need to check in your big notebook who’s been good.”
