Now Santa Claus talks to children virtually 1:43
(CNN) -
NORAD is targeting its formidable tracking systems on Santa Claus and his reindeer as they make their annual flight delivering gifts to children around the world.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, responsible for protecting the skies over the US and Canada, has activated its official Santa tracker.
The command says that Santa wears a mask to help keep everyone safe throughout his epic journey.
Santa Claus seems to be having a good time this Christmas Eve - he arrived from central Australia to Japan in a matter of minutes.
NORAD says Santa also made a stop at the International Space Station.
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Where is Santa Claus?
With this radar you can follow the path of Santa Claus
You can follow his sleigh on the NORAD Track Santa website and there are apps available for iOS and Android devices.
The tracker also counts how many gifts Santa Claus has given, that's a lot.
How did the Santa Claus tracker come about?
This is the 65th anniversary of the Santa Tracker.
It goes back to a typographical error in a 1955 Sears ad and to an Air Force officer, now known as "Colonel Santa."
NORAD was even able to maintain the tradition during the 2018 government shutdown.
Typically, hundreds of volunteers work at a special call center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to update children who call 1-877-Hi-NORAD from around the world to inquire about the location. Santa.
This year, there will be fewer volunteers answering calls to reduce the potential risk of spreading the virus.
"NORAD is committed to tracking Santa while keeping our military, their families and our dedicated call center volunteers safe," NORAD said in a press release.
People who are unable to reach a volunteer will hear a recorded message with Santa's most recent location.
Health officials say kids don't need to worry about Santa's health when he goes from house to house all night.
Dr. Anthony Fauci assured Elmo of Sesame Street that he had personally given Santa the Covid-19 vaccine at the North Pole.
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