Accommodating for physical distancing as well as people’s need to get fresh air is particularly difficult in densely populated cities. Many sidewalks are too narrow to allow pedestrians to pass each other while keeping a distance.
The city of Vienna has created several temporary “Begegnungszonen” (zones of encounter). They are streets which can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and motorized vehicles alike at reduced speed. This increases the amount of space available for pedestrians, allowing them to be outside while keeping a distance.
Other streets which had already been closed for cars have now explicitly opened up for pedestrians.
