Published
3 years agoon
City of Fresno code enforcement officers investigated two photo-with-Santa businesses on Wednesday after receiving complaints that they weren’t following social distancing guidelines.
360 Image Makers on N. Fort Washington Road and Pamela Leeds Photography on W. Bullard Ave. both appeared to be following social distancing guidelines during the visit by inspectors. “Inspectors visited both locations and educated the owners,” said Rodney Horton, housing and neighborhood revitalization manager with the Fresno city attorney’s office.
GV Wire℠ spoke with Bruce Maurer, owner of 360 Image Makers, by phone afterward. “I only have one family in a 2,600-square-foot building at a time,” he said.
The complaints do signal that people are on edge, even as kids are eagerly waiting to meet and greet Santa. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some posted guidelines, and the top doctor in Fresno County has his own to share.
In addition to only allowing one family inside at a time, temperatures are taken, hand sanitizer is everywhere, doorknobs are wiped down repeatedly during the day, and everyone is staying at least 6 feet apart to adhere to social distancing recommendations, says Maurer.
Kids don’t actually sit on Santa’s lap but next to him on the edge of a chair, “which actually leads to better posture anyway,” he says.
But Santa doesn’t wear a mask.
“He’s not a real bearded Santa,” explains Maurer. “So his beard is actually full enough that it covers his mouth and nose.”
The only time the kids aren’t wearing a mask is for the few seconds when the photo is taken, he says. “He’s (Santa’s) not really facing the kids during the pictures.”
“The parents always have their mask on. My computer operator always has their mask on, and I have my mask on,” Maurer says. “I’ve had moms cry because the kids needed this so bad, some normalcy in their life.”
“Santa wouldn’t miss this visit for anything!” Fashion Fair Mall writes on its website. The mall says visits with Santa are located in its center court and are free.
Some of the safety protocols in place are:
The mall encourages people to make reservations ahead of time to help ensure social distancing.
Holiday Magic Studios has a unique way for kids to take a virtual photo with Santa at River Park.
“The ‘Santa Magic Photo Experience’ may appear that Santa is sitting with families, but he is not,” says owner Peter De Young. “He appears ‘magically’ in every picture taken. The technology is proprietary to Holiday Magic Studios.”
The kids are first shown a video in which Santa explains a tremendous snowstorm has kept him stuck at the North Pole. Parents have the kids sit in positions around a chair in different poses for the camera.
Afterward, Santa is virtually placed in the photos like he was actually there the whole time.
Appointments need to be booked ahead of time.
“Use a mask before, during, and after photos.” —Fresno County Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra
GV Wire℠ asked Fresno County Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra for his recommendations for photos with jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
Vohra sent the following tips:
The CDC says if your holiday traditions usually involve visiting Santa Claus, check local opportunities and know requirements for visiting safely.
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