NEWS

From crowds to ghost towns: Before and after coronavirus

By THE REDIFF NEWS BUREAU
March 18, 2020 08:08 IST

The world is slowly going into lockdown trying to stop the spread of the dangerous coronavirus disease, leading to cities and famous attractions turning eerily deserted.

Many streets, train stations, mass transit systems and restaurants across the world are now eerily empty.

You can scarcely avoid seeing images of the emptiness -- the cleared streets and squares of St Petersburg, the missing throngs outside the temples of Kyoto.

 

This astonishing moment when the world hit pause on normal life will never be forgotten by those who lived through it.

P.S Move the slider sideways across the images to see comparative visuals

 
The pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules at the Amman Citadel in Jordan. Jordan announced on Tuesday that it is implementing a nationwide lockdown as its coronavirus outbreak worsened. Jordan has reported 35 cases of the coronavirus, including nine foreigners who were infected. Photograph: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
 
 
The medieval Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic is now eerily deserted as the Czech government restricts movement of people to slow the spread of the new coronavirus disease in Prague, Czech Republic. Photograph: David W Cerny/Reuters
 
 
The usually populated Dubai Mall resembles a ghost town now following the outbreak of coronavirus. Dubai has suspended all tour services and activities related to sea cruises, desert camps and tours and floating restaurants with immediate effect till the end of the month. Moreover, some malls have also reduced their timings. Photograph: Satish Kumar/Reuters
 
 
Spain has been severely hit by the coronavirus, leading to strict measures being taken to avoid further spread of the disease. The country has gone into lockdown and tourists, which would normally be flocking to Puente Nuevo" (New Bridge) in downtown Ronda won't be allowed anymore under the new rules. Photograph: Jon Nazca/Reuters
 
 
Barcelona’s landmark Sagrada Familia basilica will stop receiving visitors and suspend its construction work from Friday as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak. Deaths from coronavirus in Spain surged to 491 on Tuesday from 309 the day before. Spain is the worst-affected part of Europe after Italy, which has had 26,000 cases and 2,500 deaths. Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters
 
 
Classrooms which were full of students in Preska, Slovenia are now empty as schools have been ordered to remain shut due to coronavirus. Photographs: Srdjan Zivulovic/Reuters
 
 
The Main Street towards Cinderella Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. United States President Donald Trump has warned that the crisis could stretch up to August. As of Monday evening, at least 85 people have died of coronavirus with the confirmed cases crossing 4,500 in the US. Photographs: Gregg Newton/Reuters
 
 
The Duomo square in Milan. As of Tuesday, Italy has recorded 27, 980 cases, with 2,749 people who healed and 2,158 who tragically died. The Italian PM recently declared a lockdown of the whole country until April 3 as the country registered the largest number of coronavirus cases and deaths outside of China. Photographs: Flavio Lo Scalzo/Reuters, Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
 
 
The famous Louvre Museum in Paris France. The museum shut as part of measures taken by France to reduce the spread of the virus. French President Emmanuel Macron declared a ban on all gathering of more than 100 people and the closure of all schools, restaurants, bars, cafes and discotheques in response to the spread of the coronavirus. France has seen at least 4,449 cases of Covid-19 with a death toll of 79. Photographs: Gonzalo Fuente/Reuters, Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images
 
 
Mumbai's famous Gateway of India. On Tuesday, Mumbai recorded its first ever coronavirus death. As of last count, India had 136 positive cases and 3 deaths. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters, Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters
 

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