After the Covid-19 outbreak, countries started to restrict their citizens from travelling to hard-hit areas. Many public places have also closed temporarily to avoid the virus.
Thus, places like shopping malls, sports venues, eateries, and tourist hotspots are currently deserted, reported American magazine The Atlantic.
Meanwhile, some places in Singapore are seeing crowds return.
Businesses were not the only ones who closed their doors, as some places of worship were also shut due to precautionary measures.
Mecca, the Holy Land for Muslims, closed part of the Great Mosque – a pilgrimage site – on 4 Mar for disinfection, reported Malaysia’s New Straits Times.
While it has reopened, people are not allowed to touch the Kaaba, which is the most sacred Islamic site.
Worshippers can still circle the Kaaba despite the temporary closure of the area surrounding it.
St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City was empty too on 8 Mar, save for the countless rows of chairs which are usually filled with devotees.
Meanwhile at the Vatican, Pope Francis’s Sunday Angelus prayer, usually done at the balcony in St. Peter’s Square, was broadcasted from the Apostolic Palace instead.
With the current epidemic, many are choosing to reschedule or even cancel their flights, especially to hard-hit areas like Italy. The entire country is on lockdown as it hits a total of 9,172 cases and 463 deaths.
In fact, popular destinations in Italy now look like something straight out of a postcard — with unobstructed scenic views, it’s a rare sight to behold.
This canal in Venice is empty, with many idle boats docked at the sides.
Given that business is slow, these gondoliers had some extra time to pay some attention to a special kitty customer.
A lone waiter stands outside a restaurant, where its many tables are left unoccupied.
Elsewhere in Japan, a before-and-after photo shows the stark contrast in the number of visitors. It’s so empty that someone could kneel down in the middle of the path to tie his shoelaces and not block the crowd.
Meanwhile, it is business as usual for many athletes except for one thing — there’s no audience awaiting their next move with bated breath and no deafening cheers for their victories.
The spectator stands in Tokyo Dome were empty as a baseball game went on.
Other sporting events around the world are either postponed or conducted without audiences.
Given the severity of this outbreak, our authorities are not taking safety for granted. They are doing what they can to protect the community from the spread of Covid-19.
Businesses are seriously affected due to fewer tourist arrivals, and this was exacerbated when locals mostly stayed at home to avoid crowded spaces.
However, the people are flocking back to shopping malls, slowly but surely.
An MS News reader shared that Jewel Changi was very crowded when she was there on Sunday evening (8 Mar). Long queues were seen at the A&W outlet which was earlier deserted.
Perhaps the encouraging signs of the daily MOH announcements — of there being more recoveries and no deaths so far — are bringing the crowds back.
Or perhaps Singaporeans, confident of the Government’s handling of the outbreak, are getting used to the “new normal” of living with Covid-19.
Unfortunately, nobody is sure of how long the Covid-19 outbreak will last. Some experts have even estimated that it might last till the end of the year at least.
Regardless of how long it lasts, life must still go on for everyone. We should continue to be brave and considerate. At the same time, we have to maintain good personal hygiene.
If we stay calm and are resilient, we can safely make it through this crisis, regardless of the challenges we face.
Featured image adapted from The Atlantic and courtesy of MS News reader.
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