Tourist hotspots around the world are deserted due to COVID-19, with several major cities under lockdown. In cities not under lockdown, social distancing measures are being heavily encouraged. Governments are advising against all non-essential domestic travel, with the US and Europe enforcing strict international travel bans. From citywide quarantines and infections aboard cruise ships to cancellations of major international events, the global public health emergency caused by the coronavirus has been unfolding rapidly and dramatically. The virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, emerged in Wuhan, China, late last year, but it has since spread to 196 countries. There are 375,000 confirmed cases and 16,000 deaths worldwide. In the USA, as of March 24, at least 52,215 people across every state and US territory have tested positive for the virus, and at least 675 people have died. Japan and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to postpone the 2020 Tokyo games until next year, but said they would happen no later than summer 2021. Up until this point, Europe was considered the epicenter for the virus, with Italy being the primary source of both new cases and deaths. Deaths in the country have begun to slow there recently. WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris stated ‘There is a glimmer of hope,’ regarding Italy. ‘We’ve seen in the last two days fewer new cases and deaths in Italy but it’s very, very early days yet.’ These images are from ZUMA Press photographers covering the outbreak around the world: Adrien Vautier, Alberto Pezzali, Andy Barton, Anton Novoderezhkin, Aristides Vafeiadaki, Armin Weigel, Bernd Thissen, Claudio Furlan, David Crane, David Powell, Dirk Shadd, Dirk Waem, Gene Blevins, Giuseppe Fama, Greg Lovett, Jeff Gritchen, Joel Marklund, Kuba Stezycki, Laporta Salvatore, Lev Radin, Marechal Aurore, Markus Scholz, Mirco Toniolo, Naoki Nishimura, Paul Kuroda, Petit Francis, Rod Lamkey, Scott Varley, Valery Sharifulin, Vanessa Carvalho, Zahim Mohd.
Cover credit © Starmax/Newscom via ZUMA
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & CEO, ZUMA Press
