SANTA'S grottos are allowed to go ahead this Christmas in all tiers if they take place in venues that are allowed to be open, under new advice from the government.
Festive events where youngsters can meet Father Christmas adhere to St Helens' tier 2 rules if "appropriate Covid-secure measures"like social distancing are in place.
Carol singing – and carol services – can also take place, as long as those attending follow Public Health England's advice on singing safely.
Its advice includes singing in well-ventilated areas and keeping distance from each other. Door-to-door carol singing is allowed too, but in groups of a maximum of six.
Nativity plays can go ahead too but be performed within existing school bubbles, with no mixing across groups.
Audiences in tier 2 will also have to socially distance.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here