Santa will be asking children to sit beside him instead of on his knee in Christchurch and Wellington this year.
The rule follows similar protocols in Auckland which will see Santa wearing a mask, with a perspex screen and children beside him instead of sitting on his knee at the Smith & Caughey's Enchanted Forest.
The owners of the 140-year-old department store this week announced bookings to meet Santa are open.
In Christchurch, you need to pre-book your photo with Santa at the Ballantynes store and children are not allowed to sit on his knee but must sit beside him instead.
