CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Visits with Santa Claus will be a little different this year due to COVID-19.

Downtown Concord in Cabarrus County is getting ready for the Christmas season. On Monday workers were out setting up the Christmas tree. That’s where we caught up with Santa Claus.

Santa says his presence will be more socially distant this year. He says he will undergo temperature checks at several of the events he is attending, and others will have to do the same.

“As long as Santa is not having symptoms and doesn’t have a fever, then everyone is pretty good with me,” Santa Claus says.

Santa is also offering Zoom calls for those who can’t meet in person, or families can schedule a private photo session with safety protocols in place.

“There will be sanitizer on the hands and a lot more wiping down things between sets,” Santa says. “It won’t be too different for the child, but it will be a lot different for Santa and the photographer.”

If none of these work for your kids, they can always tell Santa what they want for Christmas the old-fashioned way — by writing a letter.

“One way or another I want to find out what they want for Christmas, and I want them to stay on the good list,” Santa says.

Several locations are now requesting a reservation before families see Santa. Make sure to check your local mall or shopping center for details.