Coronavirus: Creative solutions to social distancing

25 May 2020

With lockdown restriction easing in some countries like Spain and Italy, restaurants, parks and churches are putting in place creative solutions to ensure social distancing continues.

News image — People sit in circles designed to encourage social distancing as they relax in Domino Park along the East River in Brooklyn, New York City, USA.

Getty Images An aerial view showing people relaxing in a park whilst staying designated white circles to ensure social distancing — People sit in circles designed to encourage social distancing as they relax in Domino Park along the East River in Brooklyn, New York City, USA.

Reuters People stand in an elevator wearing face masks with their backs to each other — People practise social distancing in a lift at World Trade Center in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Getty Images Cardboard cut outs of people are placed at dining tables in a restaurant — Cardboard cut-outs of customers are placed at dining tables in Five Dock Dining restaurant in Sydney, Australia. The restaurant is also playing taped background "chatter" to create ambience.

Reuters People eat in a restaurant with clear plastic barriers between diners — People have lunch at the Penguin Eat Shabu restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. The plastic barriers ensure social distancing between diners.

AFP High school students in Albania follow the directions on the ground to enter their building whilst maintaining social distancing — Secondary school students in Albania follow the directions on the ground to enter their building while maintaining social distancing.

Reuters Women lean back to have their hair washed with plastic barriers dividing each customer — Women are separated by dividers as they have their hair washed in Bella Rinova hair salon in Houston, Texas, US.

Reuters Students stand separately in designated hexagon shapes on the floor — Students practise social distancing in the courtyard of a secondary school as it reopens in Brussels, Belgium.

Reuters People stand on markers on a tramway platform — People stand on designated markers on a tramway platform in Nice in France.

Getty Images An aerial view showing tents set up in individually marked spaces on the ground — An aerial view of San Francisco's first temporary tent encampment for homeless people. Following public pressure, the city created a socially-distanced sleeping area in a fenced-off space with toilets, hand-washing stations and security.

EPA A stuffed panda is seen on a chair next to diners in a restaurant — A stuffed panda is placed on a chair as a means to enforce social distancing at a restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand.

Getty Images People attend mass in a church — Worshippers attend a mass at Santa Barbara Church in Madrid, Spain. Churches can hold mass in Madrid, provided there are limited numbers, face masks are worn and social distance is maintained.

Reuters A waiter checks a customer's temperature in a restaurant — A waiter checks a customer's temperature in a restaurant in Milan, Italy.

Getty Images Worshippers pray whilst social distancing — Worshippers take part in Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while keeping a safe distance from each other, at the Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon.

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