BREAKING NEWS
This content is not available in your region
Tables are taped off to promote social distancing at Falcone's Pizzeria in Oklahoma City, as restaurants are allowed to open for in person dining
Tables are taped off to promote social distancing at Falcone's Pizzeria in Oklahoma City, as restaurants are allowed to open for in person dining   -   Copyright  Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo

Coronavirus: How society is adapting to keep us apart amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Natalia Liubchenkova
Text size Aa Aa

Countries in Europe and elsewhere are beginning to lift lockdowns, pushing social distancing to the fore in the fight to prevent COVID-19.

But getting people to keep their distance — especially in busy metro networks and on crowded train platforms — is a huge challenge.

These photos illustrate how nations across the world are having to adapt in a bid to keep people apart in life after lockdown.

Denmark

Henning Bagger/AP Photo
This is how shoppers are being kept apart in Aalborg, Denmark.Henning Bagger/AP Photo

France

Christophe Ena/AP Photo
White circles are laid to keep commuters apart on a platform at Paris' Gare du Nord stationChristophe Ena/AP PhotoChristophe Ena
Christophe Ena/AP Photo
The circles tell people where to stand in order to respect social distancing. Location: Gare du Nord train station in Paris, FranceChristophe Ena/AP Photo

Greece

PAME via AP
Protesters keep their distance from each other during a May Day rally outside the Greek parliament in Athens.PAME via AP

Italy

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP
Seats on Milan's metro are put out of use to keep commuters apart while red circles show people where to standMIGUEL MEDINA/AFP
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP
Commuters sit apart on Milan's metro, with the two seats in between them put out of actionMIGUEL MEDINA/AFP

Colombia

JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP
Markings tell commuters in Medellin, Colombia, where to stand.JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP

South Africa

Phill Magakoe / AFP
Seats out of use on a train in South Africa.Phill Magakoe / AFP
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP
Migrant workers in India place their bags inside circles marked along a road to maintain social distancing as they wait for a bus.DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP

USA

Ronald Blum/AP Photo
People practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather at Central Park's Sheep Meadow in New YorkRonald Blum/AP Photo
Eric Gay/AP Photo
Film lovers at a drive-in cinema in TexasEric Gay/AP Photo
John Raoux/ AP Photo
Tables are cordoned off at a restaurant in Port Orange, Florida, to keep diners apart.John Raoux/ AP Photo

Malaysia

MOHD RASFAN/AFP
Tape to keep men apart in toilets in Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMOHD RASFAN/AFP

Slovakia

VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP
City councillors in Bratislava, Slovakia, keeping their distance from each other at a meeting.VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP

Germany

Martin Meissner/AP Photo
A worshipper, clutching an online ticket, arrives for a service at Cologne Cathedral.Martin Meissner/AP Photo

Pakistan

Muhammad Sajjad/ AP Photo
Social distancing in a mosque in Peshawar, PakistanMuhammad Sajjad/ AP Photo
Asif HASSAN / AFP
Labour union workers maintain social distancing as they carry placards during a May Day rally in Karachi, PakistanAsif HASSAN / AFP

Sweden

Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP
A big sticker is placed on a pavement in the heart of Stockholm to instruct people to keep two metres apart.Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP
Healthcare services in Sweden instruct people to keep two metres apart.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP

Israel

Oded Balilty/AP Photo
People stand apart during a protest against Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government corruption in Tel AvivOded Balilty/AP Photo

More about

You might also like

Discover more