The beginning of 2020 saw the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic disease, which first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan among some people working in a wholesale seafood market towards the end of 2019. It was similar to SARS and was characterized by fever, pneumonia and respiratory symptoms. Despite the quarantine imposed by the Chinese government to stop the infection, the disease spread quickly all over the world, infecting millions and causing huge fatalities. In fact, even though its death rate was lower than other illnesses, the virus was very infectious. In many countries these gradually led to a complete lockdown: schools, theatres, cinemas, discos and non-essential shops, were closed, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants. Some of them temporarily adjusted their business model, operating only by take-out and delivery.

People had to follow new hygiene rules, like washing hands more frequently or wearing disposable masks and gloves to do the shopping. Therefore, besides being a global health crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic also became an unprecedented socio-economic crisis. However, after the lockdown, businesses gradually reopened, but they had to stick to new guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the disease. For example, in many countries bars and restaurants were limited to 50 percent capacity and patrons sitting at the same table had to be in the same party, often limited to 10 people in total. Tables – indoors and outdoors – had to be separated by six feet. Disposable masks and gloves were provided for diners at some establishments, with sanitizing stations for workers. Some restaurants took additional measures, including restricting seating to by reservation only, and diners were also asked to leave contact information at restaurants to ensure proper contact tracing.

Luigi Maddalena,
5^D Ipssar