In pictures: Business resumes as lockdowns gradually ease around the world

Lockdown is loosening a little in some parts of the world. For many, it means a chance to get out and do things once considered mundane. And for struggling businesses, it’s a welcome respite. But measures to throttle the spread of the coronavirus have transformed many everyday activities. Here is a snapshot of how people and companies around the world are adjusting.

On the move

Grabbing a sandwich or a coffee, maybe on the way into work or during your lunch break, has often meant waiting in line. These customers in the Netherlands are using over-sized yellow circles that extend out into the parking lot to wait their turn.

It could be that circles are the new way of helping people stand a safe distance apart. Here at the Gare du Nord railway station in Paris, they are in use on the platforms.

Eating out

Many restaurants and bars may struggle to remain commercially viable if they have to make substantial cuts to the number of customers they can serve at a time. This café in Thailand has adopted a pulley system to pass customers their food and drinks.

And in Hong Kong, customers at this café have a lot more space between them than they used to.

Being served

In some countries, you still can’t get your hair cut. But you can if you live in Texas. This salon in Houston has a partition between clients, and the staff wear masks and gloves.

In Jakarta, these people wait in line to use an automated rice-dispensing machine.

This bank in Tokyo has deployed lots of screening, while both staff and customers are wearing face masks.

In Brussels, this Mercedes car dealership has put piles of wheels to good use, helping maintain social distancing while staying on brand.

This Italian factory, which produces metal bearings, has added social distancing markings to the floor.

And at this car factory in France, plastic barriers have been installed to maintain social distancing.