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How are countries socializing safely during coronavirus?

By on June 15, 2020

As businesses resume operations, governments are requiring them to ensure customers keep a safe distance from each other at all times.

Businesses including schools are applying the rules in many ways in order to not spread the virus. Have a look at how they are adapting to new social distancing guidelines. 

In Turkey…

Artvin

Artvin, a new chic cafe in Istanbul, Turkey opened, on June 1 designed with mannequins sitting in between tables. Dressed in trendy clothes wearing masks, the mannequins are not only aesthetically pleasing to watch, they serve as a constant reminder to customers that they should practice social distancing.

Ozan Kose/AFP

Mannequins are now a common sight at restaurants and bars in Istanbul.

In Spain…

photo by AFP

Tight social distancing rules will prevail over emotions on beaches or in restaurants as sunny Spain reopens its borders on June 21 instead of July 1 as earlier announced. Spain is the second most visited country in the world after France. Tourism revenue makes up 12% of its GDP. In 2019, it had 84 million record number in tourist arrivals. Summer this year won’t be any different except that tourist ban for US, Asian and Latin American countries are still in effect.

Since the Spanish tourism minister announced social distancing measures to be extended in business establishments in summer to prevent further spread of covid-19, many shops have already installed a window for take-out food with an open space enough to hand out orders. This is found everywhere in the country including tourist-frequented beach resorts. Spain is the third country with the most deaths from covid-19, after the United States and Italy, with almost 27,136 deaths and 291,008 covid-19 case counts todate.

In Germany…

photo by Burger King

Orders of burger and fries at Burger King locations in Germany now come with a complimentary “social distancing sombrero”. The social distancing hats measure 1.8 meters in diameter. In its Italian stores, Burger King’s signature Whopper has been modified too with triple the amount of raw onions found on a regular Whopper. ​​​​​​The reason behind this is for the pungent onion breath to stop people from coming too close to one another.

“We wanted to reinforce the rules of high safety and hygiene standards that the BK restaurants are following,” a Burger King representative told Business Insider. “The do-it-yourself social-distance crown was a fun and playful way to remind our guests to practice social distancing while they are enjoying food in the restaurants.”

 

In USA…

photo: Disney

A team of new Cast Members made up of employees from various Disney World Resorts’ Children Activities Services was added to Disney Springs, Walt Disney World’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district, which began a staggered reopening on May 20.  The team’s role is to remind guests to maintain a social distance in fun and caring ways, while assisting park guests during the visit.

In France…

© Photopqr/Le Midi Libre/MAXPPP

When French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced a ‘very gradual’ reopening of kindergartens and elementary schools from May 11, he stressed the importance of strict sanitary conditions.
Wearing a mask in France is not compulsory for children in kindergarten and primary but it is for teachers and supervisors in situations where distancing cannot be avoided.

 

In Amsterdam…

photo by mediamatic

Amsterdam’s Mediamatic ETEN restaurant came up with an idea of erecting greenhouse-like structures overlooking the waterfront. Up to three diners can have vegan course meals in the outdoor tables which can be reserved in two-and-a-half hour blocks from between 6:00pm to 8:30pm or 8:30pm to 11:00pm. Food arrives on a long wooden board and slided onto the table through the greenhouse door.

Dutch cyclists have installed pool noodles to keep a safe distance between other cyclists and pedestrians.

In Thailand…

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

People eat in between plastic partitions to contain any spread of the COVID-19 at the Penguin Eat Shabu hotpot restaurant in Bangkok.

photo by Thai post

An elevator in Thailand has stickers on the floor to tell passengers in which direction they should face to avoid direct contact. 

 

 

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