Coronavirus conversations: Covid-safe Santas

Three Santas from Finland, the UK and the United States discuss how they are safely dispensing Christmas cheer during this pandemic.

We'll also explain what is known about the new coronavirus variant that is spreading rapidly in the UK. The variant was given as the reason for strict new lockdown rules for millions of people in the UK and for the subsequent decisions by dozens countries to suspend arrivals from Britain. We look at the impact of those travel restrictions and hear from people whose Christmas plans were ruined after the rules were tightened over the weekend.

Over the Christmas period, we also connect with our correspondents around the world to hear how the pandemic has changed the places they cover. Today we go to Russia, one of the hardest-hit countries in the world.

Picture: Santa Larry speaking to BBC OS from the North Pole, AKA Dallas (BBC)