16 Photos of Social-Distancing Symbols from Around the World
Updated: Mar. 07, 2022From miniature airplanes to oversized stuffed animals, cities around the world are using various tools and symbols to make people stay safely apart.
Keep your distance
It’s safe to say that people all around the world are a whole lot more familiar with how long six feet, or 1.5 to two meters, is than they were a year ago. As the CDC’s recommended distance for stopping the airborne spread of the COVID-19 virus between people, it’s been ingrained into our minds whenever we venture into public spaces. This is mostly thanks to social-distancing markers, which stores, restaurants, schools, and all sorts of other places have placed on the ground. And as the pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, it seems like they’ll be semi-permanent features. But these images of distancing markers around the world at least convey a sense of uniformity—even as different countries put their own spin on the symbols, like these pink lines in London. Plus, check out more photos that will define the era of social distancing.
India
In September, women and men waiting to take the Pre-Teacher Education Test (PTET) stand six feet apart in Jaipur, India. Would-be educators must pass this test to gain admission to a Bachelor of Education course. This photo shows that white circles on the ground are a good go-to for social-distancing markers. Find out the biggest ways teachers have been going above and beyond during COVID-19.
China
Well, these are the cutest social-distancing markers we’ve ever seen! This movie theater in Changsha, China, is trying to brighten people’s spirits during the pandemic by filling seats with these dapper stuffed animals. That’s certainly one way to make sure people sit safely apart from one another! This theater reopened in July of this year. Check out these coronavirus photos that could end up in history books.
New York
New York City was utterly battered at the beginning of the pandemic, remaining the epicenter for much of March and April. But New Yorkers have turned things around and, thus far, kept their numbers low since then. These bright pink-and-yellow sidewalk markers show people how far apart to stand outside of a church. Read some true stories that show what happens when you don’t social distance.
Brazil
Spray-painted social-distancing markers on this Rio de Janeiro escalator show people which steps they can and can’t stand on. Green footprints indicate where to stand and red footprints with lines through them show where to give space. This photo was taken on June 19. At the time, stores had to operate at 30 percent capacity, including the Mercadão de Madureira shopping center where this photo was taken.
South Korea
Guests at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace adhere to social distancing while documenting a performance by royal guards. These distancing markers are white semicircles, and the spectators all have their masks on for even more protection. These facts will convince you it’s important to wear a face mask.
Thailand
This school in Bangkok is taking no chances when it comes to social distancing! On June 19, returning students sit on a bench marked with red tape; red lines and X’s show where they can and can’t sit. More red tape, on the floor, marks arrows to create one-way walkways. Add the hanging banner promoting social distancing, and you’ve got a school that leaves no ambiguity with regards to COVID safety! Here’s what one U.S. teacher is most worried about now that she’s back in school.
France
These simple yellow footprints match the yellow line to stand behind for safety at this tram stop in Nantes. Though the station is pretty deserted here—this was on May 8, only days before France’s lockdown was eased—the number of footprint social-distancing markers show how crowded this spot can get and strive to keep it safe. And it’s still more lively than these creepy abandoned subway stations.
Kuwait
At a government department in the Hawalli Governorate of Kuwait, these gold markers with black footprints show you exactly where to stand! Employees and customers alike wear face masks as they conduct transactions.
El Salvador
More footprints, these yellow and enclosed by a yellow circle, show people where to stand by an elevator in a San Salvador shopping mall. Its colorful pink hand sanitizer station looks pretty familiar to people all around the world, too. Find out the things you absolutely shouldn’t do at reopened shopping malls.
Wales
These hard-to-ignore social-distancing markers aren’t in any public place—they’re just showing people where to safely walk on a regular Welsh street! You could find these bright yellow people with arrows indicating space between them on St. Mary’s Street in Cardiff in August. We have a feeling it’s not intentional, but we love how this pedestrian’s shoes match nonetheless!
Vietnam
People must stand socially distant while waiting to use ATMs in this Hanoi mall. Above the white footprints emblazoned on red squares, a warning in both Vietnamese and English tells people to maintain a distance of two meters.
Kenya
Not only is this social distancing reminder on a wall, not the ground, we also love the way it’s incorporated into artwork! A woman walks past this mural, found in the Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi, on July 15. And as a bonus, the mural promotes hand-washing as well! COVID is only one of 15 diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands.
Boston
At Boston’s Logan International Airport, people wait for their luggage after a flight. We think it’s fascinating that they’re standing on or near these social-distancing symbols, blue circles with orange footprints that say “Stand Here, Maintain Distance,” even though there are only a few people at the baggage carousel here. It looks like habitual social distancing is here to stay for a while—here are 12 things you won’t see in airports anymore.
England
These social-distancing symbols, located on a popular shopping street in Dalston, sure aren’t subtle! “2 METRES” is written in pink spray paint every, well, two meters, and the bright pink lines show pedestrians exactly how far that is. Here’s how you should handle social distancing rule-breakers, according to etiquette experts.
Chile
Instead of white circles, this Chilean park uses white hexagons to show people where to stay when they come to the public space. This July photo shows the space, located in the city of Santiago, on a less crowded day. Next, get a look at these photos showing how social distancing around the world compares to America.
