There will be a formal event to mark the start of the Sinterklaas festivities in the Netherlands this year, but the location will be kept secret and the public will not be permitted to attend, public broadcasting organisation NTR has confirmed.

Every year thousands of people turn up for the ‘arrival’ of Sinterklaas from Spain, which is broadcast live on television and takes place at a different location.

However, this year, coronavirus has put paid to the mass festivities, NTR said. ‘We are doing our best to ensure a warm welcome for Sinterklaas, but in a responsible way,’ the broadcaster said in a statement.

The saint’s arrival will take place on November 14, an event which usually marks the start of three weeks of local and regional processions. However, many towns and cities have already said that their local parades will not now take place because of coronavirus.

The traditional Sinterklaasjournaal – the children’s news programme which follows the adventures of Sinterklaas and the Piets on the way to the Netherlands and during their stay – will start on Monday, October 9.