Two Gilbert Parks and Recreation employees who dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for COVID-19 after attending Christmas events earlier this month.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were at a pajama party on December 11 and a holiday cookie and craft event on Saturday, ABC 15 reported. Around 80 people, mostly children, attended both events that were put on by the town.
The town said it notified those who attended about the positive COVID-19 tests, and two other parks and rec employees are quarantining.
The Gilbert Parks and Recreation department requires adults and children older than 6 to wear face masks and follow social distancing at town events, but a department spokesperson told the TV station that not everyone was following the rules at the two holiday events.
"There were a few families who chose not to follow our recommendations. Verbal reminders were given," the spokesperson said in a statement.
Gilbert Parks and Recreation canceled two similar events after the positive cases.
Other Santas have tested positive for the coronavirus after Christmas events, most noticeably a Santa who attended a photo op in Georgia and a Santa who visited a nursing home in Belgium.
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