Social distancing during coronavirus as countries start to ease lockdown

Vatican CIty

The Vatican during the lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. Saint Peter's Basilica throws its doors open to visitors on May 18, marking a relative return to normality at the Vatican and beyond in Italy, where most business activity is set to resume.

(Photograph:AFP)

United States of America

People are seen practising social distancing in white circles in Domino Park, during the Covid-19 pandemic on May 17, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

(Photograph:AFP)

Malaysia

Mosque staff offer Friday prayers, while practicing social distancing during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at the National Mosque, which was reopened after the Malaysia government relaxed measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Kuala Lumpur
 

(Photograph:AFP)

France

Employees of the RATP (Autonomous Parisian Transportation Administration) stand by for crowd control on the platform on line 13, Saint-Lazare metro station in Paris on May 14, 2020 during the ease of lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19. 

(Photograph:AFP)

Israel

Protesters, wearing protective masks and standing two metres apart from each other due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, gather for a demonstration in Rabin Square in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on May 9, calling for "a quality government" before the formation of a new government later in the week amid negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-rival Benny Gantz.

(Photograph:AFP)

United Kingdom

Passengers sit in a quiet London Underground tube train in London on May 14, 2020 after a partial loosening of the coronavirus lockdown guidelines. People living in England got more freedom on May 13 to leave their homes, including to go to work, the first stage of an easing of the seven-week coronavirus lockdown.

The partial lifting of restrictions comes despite concern that Britain has the second-highest death toll from the virus in the world -- and confusion about the new rules.

(Photograph:AFP)

Saudi Arabia

Muslim worshippers perform the "Tarawih" nightly prayer during the holy month of Ramadan, while keeping their distance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in the Saudi city of Mecca, late on May 8.

Saudi Authorities allowed for a limited number of worshippers to enter the Grand Mosque to perform prayers during Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

(Photograph:AFP)