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Not even the coronavirus can stop them.
Times Square’s costumed were still out in force on Tuesday — despite concerns about the spread of the potentially fatal virus — as the Naked Cowboy added a new accessory: a face mask.
The cast of creepy characters — including a giant panda — were seen demanding hugs from passerbys, with some even chasing down groups of people while holding their arms out.
“People are coming from all over the world and they’re hugging people- they’re transferring the virus. Someone is going to die,” said Keith White, 32, who watched as Cookie Monster and Luigi attempted to hug a group of tourists.
On 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, Elmo was spotted pursuing after a family with two children — who were able to get away.
The furry fiend also tried to run down 19-year-old New Jersey resident Zuleika Sanchez with his arms open wide.
“It’s nasty. I get it’s their livelihood, but don’t chase after me,” Sanchez told The Post.
She called on Mayor Bill De Blasio to put the deviants in a time out.
“I feel like the mayor should step in and limit the costume characters interactions with people during a pandemic. It’s my birthday, I don’t want Elmo giving me the coronavirus,” Sanchez said.
Even the Hulk tried to get handsy — and attempted to hug a Post reporter while calling her “sweetie.”
Another Great White Way staple, the Naked Cowboy, was also out panhandling — albeit wearing a mask — and at least one woman was seen jumping into his arms.
The person in a giant panda costume asked folks for an embrace, too — and some did stop to pose for a photo with the big, grabby bear.
And a person in a large panda costume explicitly asked passersby for hugs. Some tourists did stop to pose with and embrace the big bear.
One child walked past the panda with his father and asked if he could say hi.
“No,” the watchful dad said, before grabbing the boy’s hand and rushing off.
City Hall spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie said: “This is unacceptable and we are looking into it.”
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson also called the actions of the costumed characters unacceptable, adding it was “wildly unsafe.”
“The city needs to put a stop to it immediately.”
Additional reporting by Julia Marsh
