At the beginning of the year, no one ever heard of social distancing. If they did, then they might have thought it meant turning down an invitation to a boring party.
Today, social distancing has become the new normal as literally every country on the globe has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a rule, social distancing means you should try to stand at least six-feet apart from people when out in public. Social distancing doesn’t preclude you from wearing masks and washing hands. Those should still be done but as people go out in the world, governments and businesses are putting social distancing into effect so everyone gets on the same page.
Here’s how some social distancing reminders are being implemented around the globe.
Stencils
Painted stencils are being placed at parks around London. They are an image of two figures standing 2 meters apart. That would be six feet in America. When you have the markings spread for the exact distance it helps visitors understand the concept that this is how far they need to stand apart.
Chalk
Folks who need to line up for social services are abiding by chalk “boundaries.” Chalk circles that are six feet apart have popped up in Nairobi outside government offices. When the circle in front of you empties out, you can move across. It’s like a huge game of virtual checkers and you’re the pieces.
Banners
Six feet wide banners with the wording, “Keep This Far Apart” is another way communities are promoting social distancing. You’ll see those kinds of banners along the bike and walking trails at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
Signs
When you enter an office building or apartment complex, you might be greeted by posted signs. At a Bangkok condo building, a sign says that up to four people can get into an elevator at once provide that they all face away from each other. Airports around the world also putting up signs on every other chair in the terminals to stop people from sitting next to each other.
Tape
The tape is being used in many grocery stores around the world as a way to create the six-feet buffer zones. You might find tape separating customers at the checkout line. At a Singapore grocery store, each aisle has taped boundaries in six feet increments. And those aisles have all become “one way.” That way you’ll always be following behind people. Tape might also be used to block off tables and chairs in cafes when they reopen.
Social distancing can help keep the virus from spreading. Six feet is not a lot to ask!
