These maps show how coronavirus lockdowns emptied our cities

Updated

Abandoned playgrounds. Empty highways. Bustling streets now all but deserted.

City after city has fallen silent as desperate governments implore or compel residents to stay indoors in a bid to stymie the devastating spread of COVID-19.

Australian cities are no exception. It began three weeks ago with a recommendation to cancel non-essential outdoor gatherings of over 500 people and has rapidly escalated.

Sydney version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? Fast Group Created with Sketch. Slow Typical traffic April 3, 2020 Source: Google Maps

These maps show how peak-hour gridlock has virtually vanished in our four most congested capital city centres as government physical-distancing restrictions have come into effect.

They use Google Maps data to compare traffic speeds at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, 2020, with typical traffic at 9:00am on Fridays.

Melbourne version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? Fast Group Created with Sketch. Slow Typical traffic April 3, 2020 Source: Google Maps

Brisbane version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? Fast Group Created with Sketch. Slow Typical traffic April 3, 2020 Source: Google Maps

Adelaide version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? Fast Group Created with Sketch. Slow Typical traffic April 3, 2020 Source: Google Maps

Across Australia, separate Google Maps data reveals public transport hubs and retail and recreation venues (such as restaurants, shopping centres and cinemas) have witnessed the steepest falls in movement.

The data, which tracks activity at different types of places, shows movement at bus, train, metro and light rail stations is down by nearly 60 per cent compared to typical levels, while retail and recreation visits have fallen by 45 per cent.

Residential is the only category that recorded a rise.

The places we no longer go Baseline = Median value for the same day of the week, Jan 3-Feb 6, 2020 Retail and recreation Grocery and pharmacy Parks +60% +30% 0% -19% -30% -35% -45% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Transit stations Workplaces Residential +60% +30% +13% 0% -30% -33% -58% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar The places we no longer go Baseline = Median value for the same day of the week, Jan 3- Feb 6, 2020 Retail and recreation +60% +30% 0% -30% -45% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Grocery and pharmacy +60% +30% 0% -19% -30% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Parks +60% +30% 0% -30% -35% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Transit stations +60% +30% 0% -30% -58% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Workplaces +60% +30% 0% -30% -33% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Residential +60% +30% +13% 0% -30% -60% 16 Feb 8 Mar 29 Mar Source: Google Community Mobility Report, March 29

Pedestrian counts generated from a network of 65 sensors around the City of Melbourne tell a similar tale.

They show the number of pedestrians out and about on Thursday April 2, 2020 had plunged by 87 per cent compared with the average for Thursdays over the past year.

Pedestrian counts in the City of Melbourne Based on average and actual pedestrian counts across 65 location sensors 170,034 160k 118,180 120k 80k 40k 19,760 0 2am 4am 6am 8am 10am 12pm 2pm 4pm 6pm 8pm 12am 10pm Thursdays, past year (avg) Thursdays, past 4 weeks (avg) Thursday, April 2, 2020 (actual) Pedestrian counts in the City of Melbourne Based on average and actual pedestrian counts across 65 location sensors 170,034 160k 118,180 120k 80k 40k 19,760 0 12am 4am 8am 12pm 4pm 8pm Thursdays, past year (avg) Thursdays, past 4 weeks (avg) Thursday, April 2, 2020 (actual) Source: City of Melbourne

The pattern is the same at specific locations, with the number of pedestrians down by more than 90 per cent at both Southern Cross Station and Princes Bridge, compared with the past year's average.

Pedestrian traffic, selected locations Spencer St, Collins St (North) Flinders St Station Underpass Town Hall (West) Southbank Melbourne Central, Elizabeth St (East) 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Little Collins St, Swanston St (East) Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre Princes Bridge Southern Cross Station 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Pedestrian traffic, selected locations Spencer St, Collins St (North) Flinders St Station Underpass 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Town Hall (West) Southbank 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Melbourne Central, Elizabeth St (East) Little Collins St, Swanston St (East) 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre Princes Bridge 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Southern Cross Station 4k 2k 0 12am 6am 12pm 6pm Source: City of Melbourne

Cities at a standstill ... except in Asia

COVID-19's swift march through some of the world's liveliest cities has had an uneven effect, with movement falling far more precipitously in some countries than others.

Data from transit app Citymapper shows the percentage of people on the move compared to typical levels for that city.

Among the cities with the sharpest declines since the beginning of March are Madrid, Paris and Rome, where nationwide lockdowns were implemented quickly. In these cities, movement levels have fallen by 95 per cent or more.

In Sydney, Melbourne and London, where lockdown measures have been stepped up over days or weeks, the falls in activity have been similarly large but more gradual.

Percentage of city moving compared to typical level Cities ranked from most to least movement on April 1, 2020. (Typical movement = 100%) Singapore Seoul Hong Kong Melbourne 100% 51% 50% 37% 33% 15% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Sydney London New York Tokyo 100% 50% 13% 9% 7% 7% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Paris Rome Madrid Milan 100% 50% 5% 5% 4% 3% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Percentage of city moving compared to typical level Cities ranked from most to least movement on April 1, 2020. (Typical movement = 100%) Singapore Seoul 100% 51% 50% 37% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Hong Kong Melbourne 100% 50% 33% 15% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Sydney London 100% 50% 13% 9% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar New York Tokyo 100% 50% 7% 7% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Paris Rome 100% 50% 5% 5% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Madrid Milan 100% 50% 4% 3% 0% 2 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar Source: Citymapper Mobility Index

By contrast, movement in Seoul and Hong Kong has fallen to roughly one third of typical levels, but that fall has been spread across weeks or, possibly, months. (Citymapper data is only available from March 2, 2020.)

These cities have avoided the draconian lockdown measures that sealed off highways, closed down factories, emptied schools and shuttered businesses elsewhere. And yet, remarkably, growth rates in confirmed COVID-19 cases have slowed dramatically.

Both have been praised for their decisive action, widespread testing, aggressive contact-tracing and enforced quarantines, as well as the co-operation of their citizens, many of whom experienced the horrifying SARS coronavirus outbreak in the early 2000s.

The lockdown effect

Traffic congestion has all but disappeared in locked-down cities, including those notorious for peak-hour gridlocks that, just a few short weeks ago, stretched across an entire morning or evening.

This data from Dutch navigation company TomTom shows how much more or less time a 30-minute vehicle trip took each day in 2020, compared with the average for the same day of the week across 2019.

Beyond the dramatic impact of lockdown measures, it illustrates the difference between "soft" approaches that relied on residents voluntarily staying at home and tougher restrictions compelling them to do so.

This is especially visible in the charts below, which show how traffic congestion changed hour by hour in the week each city was locked down, compared to 2019.

Sydney 60% 30% 0% 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Sydney 60% 30% 20 Mar 22 Mar 24 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index





For Australians, the first restrictions on movement came on March 13 when Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders announced the suspension of non-essential outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.

The new rule came into effect on Monday, March 16 — the same day the Victorian Government declared a state of emergency. The nation's coronavirus infection count stood at 376 and the death toll at five.

Around the country, offices began instructing staff to work from home and universities emptied as students switched to online classes.

Melbourne 60% 30% 0% 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Melbourne 60% 30% 20 Mar 22 Mar 24 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

On March 19, non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people were banned. Four days later, another order closed pubs, clubs, gyms, cinemas and places of worship, while restaurants and cafes were restricted to takeaway orders. On March 27, most gatherings were limited to just two people, down from 10.

By April 3, Australia's confirmed case count had surpassed 5,300 and 27 people had died.

Auckland 80% 40% 0% 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Auckland 80% 40% 20 Mar 22 Mar 24 Mar 26 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

After ratcheting up restrictions on overseas arrivals in late February and early March, the New Zealand Government announced on March 19 the cancellation of all indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.

At this stage, New Zealand had 28 confirmed cases and no reported deaths.

The next day, authorities in Auckland closed pools, libraries, galleries and other community facilities. The day after that, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked citizens to defer all unnecessary travel and work from home where possible. Older New Zealanders were advised not to venture outside.

Then, on March 26, the entire nation was placed into lockdown, with all residents required to stay at home except for essential personal movement. At the time, New Zealand had yet to report a death and its cumulative tally of confirmed cases stood at more than 260.

By April 3, confirmed cases had risen to more than 770 and one person had died.

London 60% 30% 0% 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 2019 average 2020 London 60% 30% 17 Mar 19 Mar 21 Mar 23 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

The UK's first confirmed case of local transmission was reported on February 29.

The British Government advised citizens to observe social-distancing protocols, practise good personal hygiene and quarantine themselves if they experienced symptoms of infection.

At this point there were only 18 confirmed cases in the UK and no local deaths.

On March 16, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged all citizens to work from home and to avoid pubs and restaurants in a bid to buy the health system time to cope.

On March 20, as schools across England shut down, all pubs, restaurants, gyms and other social venues were also closed. By then, the death toll had risen to 144 as the total number of coronavirus cases climbed beyond 3,200.

Three days later, Britons were told they should only go outside to shop for essentials, exercise or commute to work, if they would not work from home.

By April 3, the UK's death toll had climbed past 2,900 and confirmed cases stood at more than 33,700.

Paris 80% 40% 0% 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 2019 average 2020 Paris 80% 40% 13 Mar 15 Mar 17 Mar 19 Mar 2019 average 2020

On March 12, as the coronavirus death toll rose to 48 and confirmed cases to 2,281, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the closure of all schools and universities.

In subsequent days, the Government banned gatherings of more than 100 people and ordered the closure of all non-essential public places, including restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and nightclubs.

A national lockdown came into effect on March 17. By then the death toll had reached 148 and the number of cases had grown to 6,633.

On March 23, additional rules banned people from leaving their homes for more than one hour once a day and restricted non-essential journeys to under 1 kilometre.

By April 3, France's death tally stood at more than 4,500 and confirmed cases had surpassed 59,000.

New York 80% 40% 0% 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 2019 average 2020 New York 80% 40% 12 Mar 14 Mar 16 Mar 18 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index



New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on March 12 as the number of new cases more than doubled to 95 over 24 hours.

The emergency decree gave the city new powers to impose curfews, close public spaces and public transport, and ration the sale of goods.

The Mayor — who had 10 days earlier urged the city's 8.4 million residents to "go on with your lives and get out on the town" — banned large gatherings and flagged the prospect of tighter restrictions.

On March 15, the city's administration closed schools and shut down the remainder of New York City's nightlife, bars and restaurants. At the time, the confirmed case count stood just below 270.

By April 3, less than 3 weeks later, confirmed cases in New York City had surged past 57,000, including more than 1,560 deaths, and the city had become one of the world's most active coronavirus hotspots.

Madrid 60% 30% 0% 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 2019 average 2020 Madrid 60% 30% 10 Mar 12 Mar 14 Mar 16 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

The Spanish Government declared a state of emergency on March 14, ordering the closure of all non-essential shops, as well as schools, bars, restaurants, cafes and cinemas.

Residents were permitted to leave their homes only to buy food and medicine, or to attend work (if they could not work remotely), medical appointments, banks or caring duties.

At the time, the number of confirmed infections stood at more than 6,200, including more than 120 deaths.

Since then, Spain has joined Italy and the US in surpassing China's total number of confirmed infections, while its death toll is second only to Italy.

On March 30 the Spanish Government tightened restrictions further, suspending all non-essential economic services for two weeks.

By April 3, total infections had climbed past 110,000 and 10,000 people had died.

Dublin 100% 50% 0% 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 2019 average 2020 Dublin 100% 50% 11 Mar 13 Mar 15 Mar 17 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

Ireland closed schools, universities, museums, galleries, tourist sites, bars and childcare facilities on March 12 as part of a series of restrictions that included a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

At the time, Ireland had 70 confirmed cases and one death.

On March 27, the Government banned all gatherings and non-essential trips. Work, shopping for food or supplies, vital family reasons and medical appointments are the only exceptions. People are also allowed out for brief exercise within 2km of their home, or for farming or food production.

By April 3, Ireland had recorded over 3,800 infections and 98 deaths.

Rome 80% 40% 0% 6 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 2019 average 2020 Rome 80% 40% 6 Mar 8 Mar 10 Mar 12 Mar 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

Italy's lockdown is considered the most restrictive outside China.

Starting in the north in late February, it was extended nationwide on March 9, with the Italian Government prohibiting movement in public places except for work, basic necessities and health emergencies.

The decree also cancelled sporting events and public gatherings, and closed schools, universities, and recreational facilities.

At the time, Italy had recorded more than 7,300 confirmed infections, including 366 deaths.

Restaurants and bars were closed on March 11. Parks, gardens, and playgrounds followed on March 20. On March 22, non-essential industries were closed.

Italy's count of confirmed cases is now the highest in the world, at over 115,000 on April 3. More than 13,900 have died.

Wuhan 50% 25% 0% 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 2019 average 2020 Wuhan 50% 25% 20 Jan 22 Jan 24 Jan 26 Jan 2019 average 2020 Source: TomTom Traffic Index

China's lockdown of more than 50 million people in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province on January 23 was described as the largest quarantine in modern history. At the time, China had more than 600 confirmed cases, including 17 deaths.

Within hours of the announcement, transport into and out of the city was closed, with no exceptions even for personal and medical emergencies. Private vehicles were barred from the roads without special permission and all shops except those selling food or medicine were shuttered.

Some areas limited outings to one family member every two days to buy necessities. Others required residents to order in food and other supplies from couriers.

At its peak, Wuhan saw more than 67,000 cases and at least 3,100 deaths from the disease. However, the region appears to have reached a turning point. On April 3 Hubei province reported no new infections, while mainland China reported 70 new infections, according to European CDC numbers derived from Chinese government figures.

The government started re-opening roads to incoming traffic at the end of March and officials have said residents would be permitted to leave the city from April 8.

Notes about this story

TomTom Traffic Index data for 2020 shows the maximum congestion for that date and hour. Data for 2019 shows the average congestion level across 2019 for that specific day of week and hour. The percentages show how much more time a trip in that city took compared to free-flow conditions. (For example, a value of 53 per cent means a trip at that hour on that day took 53 per cent more time than during free-flow conditions in that city.)

Citymapper Mobility Index compares the percentage of people moving in a city to the typical level of movement in that city (baseline movement = 100 per cent)

City of Melbourne pedestrian traffic data is based on a network of sensors that operate 24 hours a day to detect pedestrian movement. The data represents the volume of pedestrians in an area.

International figures for total confirmed cases and deaths are from Our World in Data, which sources statistics from the European CDC.

Data on movement at categorised places is from Google Maps' COVID-19 Community Mobility Report for Australia, March 29, 2020. The data changes for each day are compared to a median value for that day of the week, during the five weeks from January 3 to February 6, 2020.

Topics: infectious-diseases-other, health, respiratory-diseases, diseases-and-disorders, covid-19, road-transport, transport

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