How to pull off pomp and pageantry in the middle of a pandemic? That is the question leaders are facing as Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration nears.

Because of COVID-19, the ceremony is in a state of flux. Biden, who made coronavirus precautions a staple of his campaign, has indicated that keeping people healthy is top of mind.

“We’re going to follow the science and recommendations of the experts on keeping people safe,” he said at an event late last week.

Traditional Inauguration Day festivities do not typically lend themselves to social distancing: a big parade, inaugural balls, and of course the main event on the National Mall, where crowds pack together shoulder-to-shoulder for several city blocks.

In short, a traditional inauguration could amount to a ticking time bomb in the era of a pandemic.

Still, some elements of the event are coming into place. Work is currently underway on the inaugural platform on the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

A spokesperson for the congressional committee tasked with overseeing the ceremony, says they are considering a “layered” approach to safety measures, including potentially mandatory testing for anyone on the platform near the president-elect.

Biden, who indicated recently that his Inauguration Day may not include a big parade or giant crowd on the mall, said the event could end up looking somewhat like the Democratic convention from earlier this year. That multi-day event leaned heavily on digital and pre-recorded elements.

“My guess is you’ll see a lot of virtual activity in states all across America, engaging even more people than ever before,” he said.

Despite the virus, there is still public interest in attending the inauguration.

Every four years, members of Congress get to hand out a limited number of tickets to the ceremony. North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams, D-12th District, said requests are already pouring in.

“I’ve had a number of people - I mean hundreds - call and say, ‘Well, can we get some tickets?’” she said.

However, with the scope of the event up in the air, the ticketing process is being assessed, according to a spokesperson for the congressional committee overseeing the ceremony.

Coronavirus restrictions may not be the only departure from tradition next month.

Questions remain as to whether outgoing-President Donald Trump will attend the ceremony. Axios reports he may hold a rally in Florida instead.