Christmas is fast approaching, posing challenges for everyone who wants to see their loved ones over the holiday but also to make sure everyone is safe.

So what about Santa Claus, who usually visits millions of homes throughout Europe on December 24, delivering gifts to all the children who have been good enough to get them?

COVID-19 restrictions have left many of those hopeful youngsters worried Santa may be locked down as well.

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In response, governments are stepping in to make sure he can deliver presents safely this year. 

Earlier this month, an eight-year-old named Monti wrote a letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him if Santa will be able to visit if he put hand sanitizer out with his cookies.

Once he received the letter, Johnson consulted the country's chief medical officer and was assured that Santa's visit wouldn't pose a health risk to Monti or anyone else, as long as he works "quickly and safely." 

In Italy, Tommaso, 5, wrote a similar letter to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, worried that COVID-19 meant he'd wake up without presents under his Christmas tree.

Conte assured him that Santa would be stopping by because he will be wearing a mask and is self-certificated to deliver gifts.

Other countries have taken further steps to reassure Europe's children. 

Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney confirmed santa was considered an essential worker.

And Belgium ministers Frank Vandenbroucke and Annelies Verlinden wrote a letter to Santa assuring him he would not have to go into quarantine and the night-time curfew will not apply to him or his helpers. 

But delivering presents is only half of Santa's holiday responsibilities. He also has to meet up with millions of children in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

Children will still be able to meet him in person at grottos in the UK as long as they are in a building that is allowed to be open and everyone is social distancing. 

Santa won't even have to wear a mask.

But if that isn't accessible, don't worry, children can also talk to him via Zoom. 

So, this year, Santa is still coming to town... just in a COVID-19-safe way.

Video editor: Sam Cordell. Animator: James Sandifer.