The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Global Cities

As cities go under lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 by keeping people in their homes, landscapes that typically bustle with activity stand eerily still.

There are no steady streams of traffic in front of major landmarks. No rush hour. No queues for coffee. No packed subway platforms. Consequently, restaurants and bars are shuttered. Pigeons and seagulls have free rein over our plazas. Moreover, neon billboards blink onto deserted streets. However, above the empty public spaces, there are signs that life continues within our homes.

People gather on balconies and porches to sing, cheer, and bang on pots and pans in nightly tributes to frontline heroes. Communities have come together to protect the elderly and vulnerable, showcasing resilience and solidarity. Banners hang from windows to remind people that “everything will be alright”.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is now a global pandemic. Find out what this means for travelers.