In pictures: this is what social distancing looks like around the world
![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](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/large_NOCSZmcpyohAR1rLn7SdZ4fh_zZafwT-7Fj-CtzvbX0.jpg)
Photos showing what measures are being taken to avoid transmission of COVID-19. Image: REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar
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COVID-19
- 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.
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](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/4mOupVRXRTu8WL_cH1mUXNYyJCytZcl1B-xc0Cf2K00.jpg)
![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](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/lWairBe9p4FyCICEwys2nZRnBkCSCLT50zIOo6J-mjU.jpg)
![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](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/iKwGI28dtRN7VoYJGBIbi_iq4_MTi6Y6mKCqYr6bj24.jpg)
![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](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/EJLfwbmXyEejosiiobRi8CCoGQEWrPB7DNzh4CuqNOY.jpg)
![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](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/c6J229V7rVkEiQLI4neI-8GDvVczt82vG3tHNdGymTc.jpg)
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