NILES, Ohio - As the end of summer approaches, many people may be wondering if the fears of the COVID-19 pandemic will still be here during the holiday season. As the coronavirus cancels a countless list of events, kids don't have to cross out seeing Santa Claus just yet. 

Because of a new device called the Santa Safety Guard, visiting Santa Claus at Eastwood Mall may be possible this Christmas. It's an acrylic shield and was created by the Bella Design Group to stop the spread of virus particles as children speak with Santa. 

"This was an ingenious little device that was dreamt up by a Texas company, and they've been marketing it to shopping malls and photo operators around the country," Joe Bell of Eastwood Mall corporate communications, said. 

On Thursday, Owner and President of EDI images photography company, Brian Welch, put the device to the test to make sure it doesn't create a glare in photos. 

"It works great," Welch said, "My biggest fear was we were going to pick up a lot of different light reflecting from various businesses around the mall into the guard, but we were able to overcome that just using various polarizing filters, shutter speeds, and lighting."

He said the safety guard would be cleaned between each visit with Santa.

"We want to offer parents and families out there an opportunity to be able to come out here, get pictures with Santa, and know they're walking into a safe environment," he said, "And they're also keeping Santa safe, which is a very important part."

Bell said Eastwood Mall is working out a plan to have parents schedule an appointment with Santa in advance online or over the phone.

"It hasn't been finalized yet, but it's probably going to be something that makes it easier, so people aren't standing in long lines," Bell said.