
A series of photographs taken in recent days show how motorways, tourist attractions and places of worship have emptied in response to world government's attempts to battle coronavirus.

Government restrictions have tightened from Singapore to Libya this week, with citizens either cocooning themselves away or fleeing to borders to return home before time runs out.

One poignant image shows the Woodlands Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, rammed with vehicles yesterday, but completely deserted today. The haunting images come after Malaysia implemented a border closures, forcing Singaporeans to flee.

Another shows Shi'ite pilgrims as they visit the Imam Ali Shrine in Iraq's holy city of Najaf on Monday. A combination image shows the shrine abandoned today after the Iraqi government tightened controls to stem the spread of the disease.

The worldwide infection toll for the killer coronavirus has now topped 200,000 after doubling in less than two weeks.

Cases of the highly contagious virus now exceed 203,000, according to data compiled by the John Hopkins University.

The global toll reached six figures on March 7, more than two months after the outbreak first began in Wuhan, China, in late December.

A combination photo of the Woodlands Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, before (top) and after Malaysia imposed a lockdown on travel over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak March 17 (top) and 18, 2020

A combination picture shows Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims walking at Imam Ali Shrine in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq March 16, 2020 and the shrine seen empty of people on March 18, 2020, as the Iraqi government takes measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

A combination picture shows passengers wearing protective face masks as they wait at Najaf airport, following the outbreak of coronavirus, in Najaf, Iraq March 15, 2020 and the airport seen empty of passengers as flights are suspended, amid concerns over the disease spread March 17, 2020

A combination picture shows men in traditional costumes riding horses at Souq Waqif, following the outbreak of coronavirus, in Doha, Qatar March 12, 2020 and the Souq seen almost empty, amid concerns over the disease spread March 17, 2020

Another startling picture shows people outside Buckingham Palace in London on March 13 (bottom) and the same scene on March 18 (top)

A combination photo of the Woodlands Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, before (left) and after Malaysia imposed a lockdown on travel over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak March 17 and 18, 2020 (right)

A combination picture shows children playing on swings at the beach in Ashkelon, Israel March 16, 2020 and the same area on March 17, 2020, as Israel takes stringent steps to contain the coronavirus

A combination picture shows young men exercising at a bodybuilding club in Benghazi, Libya, March 15, 2020 and the same club seen empty of people as a precaution against the coronavirus, March 17, 2020

A combination picture shows people visiting an outdoor shopping area at the marina in Ashkelon, Israel March 16, 2020 and the same area on March 17, 2020, as Israel takes stringent steps to contain the coronavirus

A combination picture shows Iraqi people walking at a market near Imam Ali Shrine, in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq March 16, 2020 and the market seen empty of people on March 18, 2020, as the Iraqi government takes measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus

A combination photo of the Woodlands Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, before (left) and after Malaysia imposed a lockdown on travel over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak March 17 (left) and 18, 2020.

A combination picture shows visitors gathering in an area near the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City March 9, 2020 and the same area on March 17, 2020, as Israel takes stringent steps to contain the coronavirus

Combination picture shows one of Lisbon's most emblematic monuments, Torre de Belem, on 8 August 2015 (top) and 18 March 2020 (bottom). The number of confirmed cases in Portugal raised to 642 today

One of the main underground lines in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, on 15 November 2016 (top) compared with today (bottom). The number of confirmed cases in the country has raised by 194 more since yesterday

The combination image shows one of the main squares in Lisbon, Portugal, on 3 October three years ago (top) compared with today, 18 March (bottom)

The side-by-side picture shows one of the main squares in downtown Lisbon on 13 August 2015 (left) and today (right)