It is the first time masks have been made mandatory for the annual Christmas photo.
Last year New Zealand was at alert level 1 and masks were not commonly used or a requirement for shopping malls or department stores.
This year, like last year, children will not be able to touch or sit on Santa's knee and will instead be seated at the front of Santa's chair or to the side.
Under the new Covid-19 protection framework, shoppers who enter the store or the Grotto will be required to scan in while visitors to the hospitality outlets and hairdressing salons will need to present their My Vaccine Certificate from December 3.
Ballantynes have set up their annual Christmas window decorations. Photo / George Heard
This year there was no grand opening of Ballantyne's famous Christmas window in the centre of Christchurch due to Covid restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather for an event.
