Cops dress as Santa Claus to create Covid awareness in Goa village

Gulf Today Report

Santa Claus has popped up in North Goa's Pernem village with a mission to raise awareness on the protection of Covid-19.

However, as the coronavirus cases soar in India, it has not dimmed the enthusiasm for bringing some festive cheer, dressing up as Santa Claus, and distributing fruit, sweets, and facemasks.

Santa Claus gifts chocolates and informative pamphlets to the public.

Dressed as Santa Claus, police personnel attached to the Pernem police station distributed masks to the people in a bid to create awareness about Covid-19 and spread the message of social distancing.

"Pernem police station staff conducted an awareness drive among the local public regarding the do's and don’ts of Covid-19 ahead of Christmas.

The police staff dressed as Santa Claus gifted chocolates, informative pamphlets and masks to the public who were found not wearing masks," inspector in-charge of the Pernem police station, Jivba Dalvi, told.

Santa distributes face masks to people. 

"The aim of the drive was to spread general awareness among the people about the virus," Dalvi said.

The Pernem police station's jurisdiction includes two beaches, namely Morjim and Arambol, which are popular with foreign tourists.

Christians account for 30 per cent of Goa's population and the Christmas season witnesses a spurt in the number of tourists visiting the coastal state.