In pictures: Deserted cities as anti-coronavirus lockdowns introduced around the globe

Many cities and towns around the globe are looking completely deserted, as governments introduce tougher measures in a bid to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus COVID-19.

Tourist destinations and business hubs that used to be packed with people are now quieter than anyone could have imagined, locals say.

People have been requested to self-isolate, while various travel bans have been put in place. Bars, restaurants and entertainment centres have all been ordered to close.
Scroll down for photographs showing world cities changing as a result of the anti-coronavirus restriction measures being introduced.

The 110 Freeeway is nearly empy in downtown Los Angeles, California. - Bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Los Angeles were ordered to close from midnight on Sunday, 15 March.APU GOMES/AFP

The US Capitol in Washington DC, USA.SAUL LOEB/ AFP

A woman walks across the deserted Vittorio Emanuele II galleria shopping mall in Milan, ItalyMIGUEL MEDINA/AFP

A few tourists walk along Circular Quay in Sydney after Australia moved to seal off its borders the day before.PETER PARKS/ AFPPETER PARKS

View of the empty Plaza de Armas as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, in La Paz, BoliviaAIZAR RALDES/AFP

A view of the almost empty beach in Saint Jean de Luz, southwestern France.Bob Edme/AP Photo

An escalator in the empty Wuhan Tianhe airport in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province.STR/ AFP

A woman wearing a mask crosses the street in Times Square in Manhattan.Johannes EISELE/ AFP

Aerial view of the empty financial center in Quito, Ecuador after the government announced state of emergency as a measure to fight the spread of Coronavirus.RODRIGO BUENDIA/ AFP

A street is empty after most of the shops and restaurants closed as part of the preventive measures against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Beirut, LebanonHussein Malla/ AP Photo

 (C)Euronews