In pictures: this is what social distancing looks like around the world

Apr 2, 2020

People maintain social distance as they shop during the tenth day of the lockdown imposed by the government amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kathmandu, Nepal April 2, 2020. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar - RC26WF9AZUOZ

Photos showing what measures are being taken to avoid transmission of COVID-19. Image: REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Douglas Broom

Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

Social distancing is an effective protective measure against the new coronavirus, says the World Health Organization.
It recommends people keep at least 1 metre apart.
Around the world, measures to ensure people observe this are in force.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends people should keep at least 1 metre away from each other to protect against coronavirus. This kind of social distancing, together with regular handwashing, is key in efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19.

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It’s estimated that about a third of the world’s population is under lockdown in their own homes, and, in many countries, social distancing is being enforced by the police. However, people still need to go out to buy food and medicine

Here’s a selection of images showing social distancing in practice across the globe.

People maintain the one-meter distance in-between each other as they stand in a line to buy groceries at a supermarket during the time government lifted the curfew, as the number of people tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country increases, in Colombo, Sri Lanka March 24, 2020

Outdoor space: People stand 1 metre apart as they queue to buy groceries in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during a break in a government-imposed coronavirus curfew. Image: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

People queue standing in circles drawn to maintain safe distance as they wait to buy grocery items during a 21-day nationwide lockdown to limit the spreading of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kolkata, India, March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Social circles: Grocery shoppers keep a safe distance in Kolkata, India. Image: REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Staff of food delivery companies sit on social distancing chairs due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, as they wait for their costumers' orders at a department store in Bangkok, Thailand, March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Food to go: Bangkok delivery drivers wait for orders at a food store in Thailand’s capital. Image: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Passengers practice 'social distancing' at a main Miami International Airport terminal after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted flights arriving at New York City airports due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Waiting room: Passengers at Miami International Airport distance from one another after flights to New York were cancelled because of the high number of coronavirus cases in the city. Image: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Men maintain safe social distancing while praying at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Redmond, Washington, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Brian Snyder TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Keeping faith: Worshippers at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound in Redmond, Washington, US. Image: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

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Journalists practice social distancing outside a meeting to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Breaking news: Journalists wait to hear the outcome of a meeting about coronavirus economic aid legislation at the US Congress in Washington DC. Image: REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert

Nurses are distancing themselves socially as they line up for donated lunches, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Meals apart: Nurses line up for donated lunches in London, UK. Image: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

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