This is how cafes, restaurants and bars around the world are keeping customers safe as they reopen

As countries around the world begin to cautiously relax coronavirus restrictions, businesses are getting creative with social distancing.

Under normal circumstances, bars, restaurants and cafes can present an opportunity for crowds of people to transmit the virus between them.

That's why most countries are now encouraging - or making mandatory - social distancing policies in these establishments.

While some have gone with traditional floor markings and spacing out seating, here are some of the more unusual ways that bars, restaurants and cafes are keeping customers safe around the world.

Using mannequins to keep lone diners company

One restaurant in Virginia, USA, has decided to keep their socially-distanced diners from getting too lonely by placing dressed up mannequins in seats around the restaurant.

The restaurant is currently operating at 50 per cent capacity to accommodate social distancing.

Patrick O'Connell, Head Chef at the restaurant, told local news station Fox 5 DC, "When we needed to solve the problem of social distancing and reducing our restaurant’s occupancy by half, the solution seemed obvious – fill it with interestingly dressed dummies".

Pool noodle hats

An entertaining picture circulated the internet last week of patrons at a German cafe wearing pool noodles - usually used to aid swimming lessons - on their heads.

The cafe,  Cafe & Konditorei Rothe in Schwerin, is using the pool noodle hats to encourage customers to maintain a two metre distance while eating and drinking outdoors - with rather entertaining results.