Boarded-up McDonald’s and empty buses: Norwich during coronavirus lockdown

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Businesses across the city centre have closed for the foreseeable future from boutique shops in the lanes to the boarded-up McDonald’s on Hay Hill.

Buses, however, continue to drive through Castle Meadow, although they are largely empty, except from the occasional key worker.

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Shoppers snake round the city streets for supermarkets, such as Tesco Metro on Guildhall Hill, where pavements are marked with tape two metres apart to help maintain social distancing.

Police officers can be seen patrolling and ready to enforce measures such as fines for those who flout government guidelines to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

The market, a vibrant hub of multinational food stores and workers grabbing lunch, is silent but the iconic striped coloured roofs glint in the sun.

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Norwich city centre during Coronavirus lockdown 31st March 2020. Lady wearing face mask outside the Royal Arcade Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)