On Friday, President-elect Joe Biden said it is “highly unlikely” millions will gather at the National Mall on Jan. 20 for the presidential inauguration.

At a press conference, he also said the traditional “gigantic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue” will probably not happen.

“The key is, keeping people safe,” Biden said.

This, of course, is due to the ongoing pandemic and continuously rising case numbers in the D.C.-region.

Biden still expects there to be some iteration of a “platform ceremony” on the Capitol steps, but his team is discussing details with House and Senate leadership. He expects there to be more virtual events, much like what was seen from the national party conventions this past summer.

This scaling-down of January’s presidential inauguration in D.C. does not come as much of a surprise, with Biden’s team telegraphing that it will be a smaller affair since the election.

Under normal circumstances, the city would be deep into preparation for an event that can draw nearly two million people to the District.

While the National Park Service has issued permits to the Presidential Inauguration Committee for construction of risers, stands, and other needed infrastructure, much of the build-out has not started yet.

On Friday’s Kojo Nnamdi Show, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she didn’t know exactly what activities will be happening for the inauguration but expressed doubt that circumstances in terms of the pandemic will be any different than they are now.

Some D.C. councilmembers are also preparing for much smaller festivities. At a recent council breakfast, Chairman Phil Mendelson said he informed the mayor’s office that he opposed having a reviewing stand in front of the Wilson Building this year.

“In this year of social distancing, and with the pandemic numbers looking worse, do we really want a confined space in front of the Wilson Building — where, if I remember correctly, no members showed up last time?” Mendelson said, according to The Washington Post.

In fact, 3 out of 13 members did go to the inauguration in 2016.

Perhaps the most striking example of how the inauguration in D.C. will be different this year is that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will not be hosting any inaugural balls. That’s partly because it’s currently an emergency COVID-19 field hospital.

This story has been updated that the presidential inauguration is January 20.