Christmas festivities curbed by Covid-19

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: North Canterbury News

The Kaiapoi Carnival and Santa Parade, the Rangiora Santa Parade and Party in the Park, and Rangiora Promotions’ Celebration Night have all been cancelled due to COVID-19.

Gone along with Santa and Christmas festivities are the North Canterbury Business Awards Gala night which will now become a virtual ceremony.

Kaiapoi Promotions Association president Martin Pinkham and his Rangiora Promotions counterpart Ross Ditmer made a joint announcement on Tuesday that the two Santa parades will not be going ahead as the COVID-19 restrictions make them unfeasible.

They cited uncertainty over when the proposed traffic lights system and vaccination passports will come into effect.

The government has indicated that the region will move to the new traffic lights system once 90 percent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated.

‘‘It’s disappointing, but we are very grateful to our...