In Pictures

In Pictures: Global lockdown to fight the coronavirus outbreak

Millions face unprecedented restrictions, including entry bans and self-isolation, as world tries to contain COVID-19.

epa08303814 Soldiers of the 12th Mechanized Brigade with police help seal the border with Germany in Lubieszyn in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland 18 March 2020. Due to the threat of spreading — Soldiers of the 12th Mechanised Brigade help seal the border with Germany in Lubieszyn in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. [Marcin Bielecki/EPA]

Sweeping measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus have been adopted by countries around the world, imposing travel restrictions, shutting down airports and completely sealing their borders.

Italy was the first European country to impose severe restrictions on movement to contain the illness. But a week after the curbs were imposed, the infection is still spreading and hospitals in the north are at breaking point.

France and Spain joined Italy in imposing lockdowns on tens of millions of people, Australia ordered self-isolation of arriving foreigners and other countries extended entry bans as the world sought to contain the spreading coronavirus.

Several countries imposed bans on mass gatherings, shuttered sporting, cultural and religious events, while medical experts are urging people to practise “social distancing”.

A lorry traffic jam is seen at the German-Polish border checkpoint Forst near Cottbus during the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Germany, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke — A traffic jam of trucks at the German-Polish border checkpoint Forst in Germany. [Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters]

epa08304659 The Neues Off movie theater with its Marquee (letter board) banner reading ''Home Alone'' and a sad smiley face in Berlin, Germany, 18 March 2020. Many closed entertainment venues in the Ger — The Neues Off movie theatre with its Marquee (letter board) banner reading 'Home Alone' and a sad smiley face in Berlin. The German government and local authorities are heightening measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. [Omer Messinger/EPA]

A view shows clearer waters by gondolas in Venice''s Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge (Rear L) on March 17, 2020 as a result of the stoppage of motorboat traffic, following the country''s lockdown wit — Gondolas stationed on Venice's Grand Canal after the stoppage of motorboat traffic, following Italy's lockdown. [Andrea Pattaro/AFP]

A French Police Nationale officer gestures and talks to a man on the "Promenade des Anglais" in the French Riviera city of Nice, on March 18, 2020, a day after a strict lockdown came into effect in Fr — A French police officer talks to a man on the Promenade des Anglais in the French Riviera city of Nice after a strict lockdown came into effect prohibiting all but essential outings. [Valery Hache/AFP]

Hungarian police officers check cars at the Nickelsdorf-Hegyeshalom border crossing on the Austrian-Hungarian border on March 18, 2020. - Hungary''s closure of its land borders over the coronavirus cri — Hungarian police officers check cars at the Nickelsdorf-Hegyeshalom border crossing on the Austrian-Hungarian border. Hungary's closure of its land borders over the coronavirus crisis caused massive tailbacks for passengers and cargo, including those seeking to enter from fellow members of the Schengen zone. [Alex Halada/AFP]

Kazakh police set up a road block at an entrance to the city of Almaty on March 19, 2020. - Kazakhstan''s two largest cities will go on lockdown from March 19, 2020 to contain the spread of the coronav — Kazakh police set up a roadblock at an entrance to the city of Almaty. Kazakhstan's two largest cities will go on lockdown from March 19 to contain the spread of the coronavirus, with the military assisting in patrolling and disinfecting efforts. [Ruslan Pryanikov/AFP]

Police officers patrol an empty street on a motorcycle, after a curfew was imposed by the mayor''s office as preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bucaramanga, — Police officers patrol an empty street in Bucaramanga, Colombia, after a curfew was imposed by the mayor's office as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus. [Jaime Moreno/Reuters]

Spanish legionnaires patrol an empty train station during partial lockdown as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in downtown Ronda, southern Spai — Spanish legionnaires patrol an empty railway station during the partial lockdown as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the coronavirus outbreak in downtown Ronda, southern Spain. [Jon Nazca/Reuters]

Sri Lankan government soldiers in protective clothes prepare to spray disinfectant inside a railway station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. For most people, the new coronavirus cause — Sri Lankan soldiers wearing protective gear prepare to spray disinfectant inside a railway station in Colombo. On March 17, Sri Lanka said it would ban all incoming flights for two weeks. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]

epa08295591 A Kenyan police officer wearing a face mask patrols within the newly constructed Infectious Disease Unit, that is currently holding 22 people who are under quarantine believed to have had — A Kenyan police officer patrols the newly created Infectious Disease Unit, that is holding people who are in quarantine and believed to have had direct contact with the first confirmed case of the coronavirus at the Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi. [Daniel Irungu/EPA]

epa08299631 Police officers check documents of people attempting to cross a checkpoint on the border of the City of San Pedro and the City of Muntinlupa in Metro Manila, Philippines, 17 March 2020. Pr — Police officers check documents of people attempting to cross a checkpoint on the border of the City of San Pedro and the City of Muntinlupa in Metro Manila. [Francis R Malasig/EPA]