The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in public spaces emptying around the world as travel is shut down and people are confined to their homes.
Photos of quiet Venetian canals and Rome’s deserted Colosseum emerged weeks ago as Italy went into lockdown. Trying to get a selfie in front of the country’s famous landmarks could now land you a fine – or get you arrested.
Beaches from Nice to Dubai are closed, emptied and patrolled by officials sending any spring sun-seekers home.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In Paris, even the area around the Eiffel Tower is barren, with just a few mask-wearing visitors snapping selfies before being moved on by groups of weary police officers.
London’s Trafalgar Square, usually packed with people painted silver, pretending to be statues, has emptied. Just the odd pigeon is left behind, wondering where their usually reliable source of food – crumb-spilling tourists – has gone.
But despite a massive drop-off in the number of people venturing out, London’s commuters have not quite got the message.
-
Exploring ancient forests on three continentsThe Week Recommends Reconnecting with historic nature across the world
-
How oil tankers have been weaponisedThe Explainer The seizure of a Russian tanker in the Atlantic last week has drawn attention to the country’s clandestine shipping network
-
The rise of the spymaster: a ‘tectonic shift’ in Ukraine’s politicsIn the Spotlight President Zelenskyy’s new chief of staff, former head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, is widely viewed as a potential successor
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
