Both the capital and Germany's largest city Berlin is home to around four million people, and welcomes 13.5 million visitors every year. Among the most sought-out attractions is the imposing Brandenburg Gate. Pictured here on a typical day before coronavirus, it's a must-visit spot in this German city.
Germany announced a lockdown relatively early on, closing shops, limiting travel and imposing restrictions on going outside from 17 March. Here, the Brandenburg Gate looks very different on 24 March 2020.
On 20 April 2020 Chancellor Angela Merkel announced some relaxation of the rules and since 4 May playgrounds, churches, hair salons, museums and more are open. People gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate on 8 May to mark 75 years since the end of the Second World War. But the infection rate is rising again, prompting questions about whether the country will be forced back into a stricter lockdown.
The suspected source of the virus, Wuhan in Hubei province and indeed the rest of China, including Beijing, canceled their Chinese New Year celebrations in January and the Forbidden City closed its doors on 25 January. A strict lockdown was put in place for the whole of Hubei province and then for the rest of China in January. Shops closed, cars were banned, public transport stopped and schools, on vacation breaks at the time, were suspended indefinitely.
Beijing's famous attraction reopened for the first time on 1 May with a daily limit of 5,000 visitors – 75,000 less than before the outbreak. Visitors are required to wear masks, temperatures are measured at the entrance and social distancing is mandatory. Visitors are also required to show health codes on a special phone app to indicate whether they are an infection risk. However, the number of cases has started to rise again in northern China, including Wuhan, which has prompted fears of a new wave of infections.
The UK, and its capital London in particular, is one of the world's most popular destinations for travelers. Home to nine million people with another 20 million visitors arriving every year, London is an extremely busy city, as seen in this image of Trafalgar Square in central London before COVID-19.
As the number of coronavirus cases rose in the UK, the country was one of the last in Europe to impose a lockdown. Strict lockdown measures were brought in from 23 March, meaning people were only allowed to leave home to shop for basic necessities, one form of exercise a day, medical needs or to provide care and to travel to work if classed as an essential worker. For several weeks the once busy streets of the capital were all but abandoned, captured in this image in late March. As we write the lockdown is relaxing but restrictions remain in place.
With over 600,000 residents, Scotland's second city of Glasgow is a national cultural hub, home to the Scottish Opera, National Theatre of Scotland, a lively music scene and a wealth of award-winning restaurants and acclaimed museums and galleries.
Although the first measures to ease the lockdown in England were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 10 May, Scotland hasn't changed its lockdown message. While those living in England are allowed to enjoy unlimited exercise as well as parks and public spaces from 13 May, currently Scotland's stay-at-home message still stands as it does in Wales and Northern Ireland, meaning different rules apply in different areas of the UK.
The capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest and most populous cities, Sydney is best known for the iconic Sydney Opera House, the stunning harbor and Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as beautiful Bondi Beach. Here Bondi is captured teeming with beachgoers before the pandemic.
The city and the rest of the country were plunged into lockdown on 23 March. Most Australian states closed their borders in addition to an international travel ban, most businesses closed and people were asked to stay at home. The beaches were also closed as seen in this image of Bondi Beach on 21 March 2020. Some Australian states have started easing lockdown measures, while Sydney and the rest of New South Wales remain under lockdown until at least 15 May.
A must-visit destination on many travelers' lists, New York City is the most populous city in the US with over eight million residents and a staggering 53 million visitors arriving every year. It's no surprise that the iconic Times Square is usually packed, day or night, as seen in this image.
Photographed here on 19 April 2020, the lockdown paints a very different picture of the usually bustling city. The worst affected state in the US, the state of New York and New York City itself have seen a high number of cases, meaning a strict lockdown was imposed from 22 March. A month and a half later the number of cases has fallen so some regions within the state can reopen after 15 May. However, New York City is likely to stay closed until June.
Before California's stay-at-home order was announced on 19 March by Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles' highways were famous for notorious traffic, as seen in this picture taken near the Convention Center in downtown LA.
Affecting more than 40 million people living the state, the order requires everyone to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care or go to an essential job. As of 8 May, some retail businesses are allowed to open and manufacturing work can resume. However, most of the restrictions are still in place, leaving the City of Angels' highways empty for the third month running.
On a normal weekend in March, this beach would be packed with visitors, however, it was closed on 20 March to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Beach chairs were packed up, umbrellas put away and most hotels along the vanilla sands voluntarily closed their doors too due to the lack of visitors.
While different rules apply to different counties within the state (for example, Miami beaches are still closed), Pinellas County, of which Clearwater is part, announced that beaches would open from 4 May. Although social distancing rules must be adhered to and groups can't exceed 10 people, visitors are allowed to bring chairs and sunbathe. This image of Clearwater Beach shows just how busy the beach was immediately after opening.
One of Europe's most visited cities, with around 16 million vacationers traveling to the French capital every year, Paris is an extremely enticing destination. Home to just over two million people, the City of Love and Light charms with its wealth of landmarks, museums and world-class dining.
As the coronavirus pandemic hit France, President Emmanuel Macron announced a strict lockdown starting from 17 March 2020 – people were even required to carry permit slips allowing them to leave the house. Here, the abandoned Avenue Des Champs-Élysées is captured on 19 April 2020.
After eight weeks of restrictions, the country has slowly started to open up. Shops have started to reopen, many pupils are heading back to school and people no longer need permits to leave their homes. But some parts of the country, including Paris, remain under stricter rules. Captured here on 11 May 2020, some life has returned to the city's famous street. Here are 50 more of the world's most beautiful cities.
A sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia, Singapore is like a window into the future. An important financial and business hub Singapore is also a major travel destination, offering a gateway to many more remote Asian destinations.
With the highest number of cases in all of Southeast Asia, Singapore's lockdown didn't start until early April. Expected to end on 4 May, Singapore's lockdown has been extended to 1 June, meaning businesses, offices, shops and schools remain closed and some restrictions will even be tightened.
Praised by many across the world, Seoul (and South Korea) has all but crushed the rising curve of the infections. Preventative measures were announced as early as February and stricter measures introduced in March. South Korea also employed a track-and-trace approach to contain the virus, but there was never a lockdown as such. However, as the country eased some measures, a second surge in infections followed after an outbreak tied to several bars and nightclubs in Seoul.
The Spanish capital is known for its elegant boulevards, expansive parks and two world-famous football clubs. Its 6.6 million residents are joined by six million visitors every year. Madrid City Hall, photographed here in 2012 during a demonstration, is among the city's most ornate buildings.
Spain has reported the second-highest number of infections around the world, with Madrid one of the worst affected areas in the country. Among the first European countries to go into lockdown on 15 March, the rules were strict, banning exercising outside. Photographed on 11 April 2020, the City Hall and the usually lively streets around it are completely empty.
With complex rules on easing the lockdown, Madrid is one of the cities still in 'Phase Zero', meaning small businesses have been allowed to open by appointment only, restaurants can open for takeout and exercise outside is allowed during strict time slots, depending on age, from 4 May. While some places like the Canary and Balearic Islands have moved into the more relaxed Phase One, Madrid remains under the guidelines of Phase Zero.
Spain's second city, Barcelona, attracts vacationers with its fabulous Catalan food and architecture, party culture and, of course, the charming Barceloneta beach, pictured here in 2018.
Many Barcelonés were more than happy to take advantage of the slight relaxation of the rules and enjoy their sandy stretch again. Photographed at the beach on 8 May 2020, the first time it was open since the beginning of the lockdown, a happy paddleboarder heads into the water. As Barcelona enters Phase One of relaxation, residents are allowed to use the beach for water-based activities like surfing and swimming, during their allocated time slots.
Argentina's buzzing capital Buenos Aires is not only the most visited city in South America – around three million came in 2017 – it's also ranked the 91st best city in the world to live, based on the quality of life here. It's no surprise almost three million people call this city and its busy streets home. Pictured here is the Obelisco, Plaza de la República and surrounding streets in 2016.
Argentina took the pandemic extremely seriously early on and a nationwide lockdown was put into place on 19 March 2020. The initial lockdown period was then extended again to 10 May. On 8 May President Alberto Fernández announced the lockdown measures will be relaxed in most of Argentina, except the densely populated Buenos Aires metropolitan area so the city's streets remain quiet.
The most populous city in Canada, Toronto is an international center of business, finance, arts and culture, and is often considered among the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world. With 28 million visitors in 2019, Toronto is one of Canada's most accessible cities, offering air and rail links to the rest of the country.
Canada's response to the pandemic was extremely rapid in comparison to other countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closing of the borders on 16 March and on 17 March a state of emergency was declared, effectively putting the country under lockdown. Since then some provinces like Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have been able to loosen the restrictions, while the rules in the two worst affected areas Québec and Ontario, including Toronto, are still strict.
The country was put under total lockdown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 March with just four hours' notice. All transport services were immediately suspended, shops, hospitality businesses and educational institutions closed and residents confined to their homes. Lockdown was then extended to 17 May and is expected to be loosened slightly after that. The lockdown has had a positive impact on the city's air quality though, as seen in this image of India Gate on 5 April.
An extremely proactive approach by the country's government and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has stopped community transmissions of the virus, effectively eliminating it. The country was put under a strict lockdown at the end of March, when there were only 102 cases and zero deaths in the country. Today, while restrictions are beginning to ease and the economy is slowly reopening, the borders remain shut.
A place where the ultra-modern and super-luxe collide with age-old Arabian traditions and Islamic culture, Dubai is not only visited by almost nine million tourists but also countless business travelers and those transiting to travel further to destinations in Asia and Australia.
A two-week lockdown came into effect in Dubai on 4 April along with a 24-hour curfew and stringent rules on leaving home. Metro and tram services were also suspended and all movement was restricted between 8pm and 6am. Just 20 days later many of the lockdown rules were relaxed, allowing freedom of movement and exercise outside the home as well as family visits. Here, Dubai's highways are captured eerily empty during the lockdown.
Thailand's capital and a major tourist destination, Bangkok is usually a lively city. During the day there's a wealth of religious and cultural monuments to marvel at, while at night the streets come alive with night markets and food stalls. Here, the famous colorful stalls of Talad Rot Fai night market are captured before the coronavirus pandemic.
The whole of the country went into a strict lockdown from 26 March. The nation's borders were closed to foreigners, the majority of international flights canceled, social gatherings banned and domestic travel restricted. The lockdown also meant the once buzzing markets were forced to close as seen in this image of Talad Rot Fai on 5 April. While a relaxation of some rules has come into force since 9 May, the night markets still remain closed and a nighttime curfew from 10pm will remain until the end of May. Now read about the world's incredible places that will be underwater by 2050
Stuffed full of iconic and historic sites, including the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and Pantheon among many more, Rome doesn't really need an introduction. Founded in 753 BC, The Eternal City, as it's also known, has been at the heart of European history for 28 centuries and now attracts nine million visitors every year.
The first European country to go into lockdown, Italy's government imposed a national quarantine on 9 March. All movement was severely restricted, all non-essential businesses and shops closed. The country's capital Rome remained largely deserted as travel was restricted, all sporting events canceled and residents were confined to their homes in a bid to combat the virus.
The first loosening of restrictions in Italy didn't come until 14 April. Although the lockdown was extended until 3 May, stationery shops and bookshops were allowed to open. As of now, the movement between regions is still banned, but many people have been able to return to work from 4 May.
The capital of Italy's worst-hit region of Lombardy, Milan has also been severely impacted by the lockdown. As many as 11 towns south of Milan were put under lockdown as early as 21 and 22 February, and the whole region followed on 8 March. Photographed here on 29 April, Milan's famous cathedral looks completely abandoned.
As lockdown measures were eased on 4 May, many residents rushed to finally leave their homes after weeks of lockdown. This has sparked concern that a second spike of the virus is imminent. Although Milan's tourist attractions remain closed, people have been flocking to Milan's canalside as life begins to look a little more normal.
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