Jamaican Santa refuses to take COVID-19 vaccine

The Jamaican Santa Claus, Sterling Ramgeet, said that he will be taking a vacation this year and will not be preaching on the plazas and malls this Christmas season.

"I will be taking a vacation but I will be around if people call me. God is building an ark right now to save the people and it is not like the one that was being built in Montego Bay. Is God doing it himself and the ark is a little tiny thing but it will be good for the entire world," he said.

Ramgeet, 78, is known by some in east Kingston as 'Black Jesus'. The father of five said he got baptised 22 years ago and has been growing his hair since under the instruction of the Lord. He spoke in tongues a few times during the interview and quoted Bible scriptures before showing off his dance moves, which he said are inspired by Jesus Christ.

Ramgeet wears a mask and shield over his bearded face. He sanitises his space regularly but although he is following the COVID-19 prevention protocols, he has no intention of taking the vaccine. Jamaica has administered 1,108,000 doses of vaccine to just over 666,400 people but Ramgeet is not on the list. He said that although there is an emergence of Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant, he will not be taking a shot and depends on his Christian faith for protection.

"COVID-19 comes to show up who is wise and who is foolish. The vaccine cannot help the people and their body will become like a factory for the vaccines. There will be booster after booster and all that will do is just mutate the virus. I will not take the vaccine because my God will bring me through. I wear the mask and shield but it is not to protect me, I am just obeying the Government to a certain extent," he said.

"I know it is going to come to the part where if you don't take the vaccine, you can't travel or conduct business but it won't affect me. I will not fret myself like the Bible instructed because the vaccine is not the solution. Things are going to get scarce and the entire world is going to be in confusion. I am sure that I can travel to the US and other countries without a vaccine because Jesus is going to do it for me," Ramgeet added.

He expressed confidence that even if he contracts COVID-19, he is relying heavily on his faith to heal him.

"I was tangled up in evil at a point in time and I was dying. I had was to call out to the only Saviour I know and he came and never disappoint me. I know they may try and look for me and prison me too but I am not worried because I have eternal life. I am going to live forever," he said.