The Drowned World

A lone swimmer lockdowned in Trat province, Koh Chang island, Thailand. Photo: Jorge Silva/Reuters.

Dancing with Horses

Pedestrians in fancy costumes walk near a skating rink past signs urging to wear protective face masks and to keep a social distance amid COVID-19 outbreak, as a thick fog envelops a square named after Soviet state founder Vladimir Ilyich Lenin in Stavropol, Russia. Photo: Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters.

Culture isn’t contagious — ignorance is

Finally, on Sunday, after days of hysteria and a further surge of COVID-19 cases, it was time for the government of Italy to show itself in all its splendour by introducing the most vexatious public health restrictions since the end of the first nationwide lockdown. And thus gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, theatres, and any other social, cultural and recreational institutions are compelled to close for at least a month, while all professional and semi-professional soccer games will continue to be allowed, even though with no public in attendance. Photo: Eleonora Costi.

The Through

The Student Trap. One day, deep in the COVID-19 lockdown, a girl looks out from the crack in the door. Photo: 武术 (Wǔshù) Master 弹棉花 (Tán Miánhuā).

Between Scylla and Charybdis

A woman in a mask walks past a mural of a hand on the side of a building in New York City, United States. The photo was taken on April 22, during the citywide COVID-19 lockdown, and is on display in the exhibition The Pandemic as a part of the 2nd International Festival of Photojournalism in Perpignan, France. Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP.

Above The Clouds

Natalie Duran, dressed as Catwoman, wears a mask while hanging from a street light in SoHo, Manhattan, New York City, United States. Outdoor arts and entertainment, sporting events without fans and media production are being allowed under phase 4 of the city’s reopening from coronavirus lockdown. Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images.

Unnumbered Seats

Minions maintain distancing between spectators at a reopened MK2 cinema in Paris, France. Photo: Benoît Tessier/Reuters.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Nursery plants in seats during a rehearsal at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain. The opera is reopening its doors with a concert for plants to raise awareness about the importance of an audience after the lockdown. Photo: Nacho Doce/Reuters.

Wonderfully Wordless

Mannequins demonstrate physical distancing in a theatre in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Manu Fernández/AP.

Noon at Tiffany’s

Executive Assistant Jessie Dawson sits among mannequins occupying some tables so diners will not feel isolated by coronavirus social distancing measures when The Inn at Little Washington, a Michelin three-star restaurant, reopens shortly in Washington, Virginia, United States. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters.