In photos: A virus draining life out of cities

Considered the bastion of human activity, progress and community, the world's cities are taking on a different hue -- one forced upon them by the fear of a coronavirus outbreak.

As the world population adopts isolating measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, these previously bustling habitats are laid bare -- from empty street-side cafes to shuttered theatres, from closed stadiums in Rio, Brazil to the almost deserted Tate Modern gallery in London, UK -- cities around the world are reeling from a sudden drop in attendance.

We do not know how long it will continue, but the following images -- gathered from Reuters photographers who are venturing out of quarantine -- might make you realise that this new virus is a threat to humanity as a whole, and that we are all in this together.

Seattle, USA

A person walks across an empty street in downtown during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Seattle. Photo: Reuters

Jakarta, Indonesia

A man wearing a face mask walks on a platform of a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station, amid the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), in Jakarta. Photo: Reuters

Hamburg, Germany

A flight passenger walks past a terminal of the Helmut-Schmidt-Airport during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID19) in Hamburg. Photo: Reuters

Caracas, Venezuela 

People wearing protective masks walks in a mall during the quarantine in response to the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Caracas. Photo: Reuters

Beirut, Lebanon

An empty highway is seen after Lebanon declared a medical state of emergency on Sunday as part of the preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus, in Furn El Chebbak. Photo: Reuters

Lalitpur, Nepal

A security guard sprays disinfectant inside a bus amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus disease outbreak in Lalitpur. Photo: Reuters

Istanbul, Turkey

Empty seats of restaurants are seen in Istanbul. Photo: Reuters

Guyaquil, Ecuador

A man walks through a market after the government ordered its temporary closure to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Guayaquil. Photo: Reuters

Hillcrest, South Africa

A supermarkets meat fridges are empty as people stock up on food after the government announced measures to curb coronavirus infections in Hillcrest. Photo: Reuters

Los Angeles, USA

A theater displays a closed sign during the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters

London, UK

A man wearing a protective mask sits in front of paintings inside the National Gallery as the number of coronavirus cases grows around the world in London. Photo: Reuters

San Luis Talpa, El Salvador

A policeman rides a bicycle after El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele ordered the closing of the airport, as the government undertakes steadily stricter measures to prevent a possible spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the Saint Oscar Romero Internacional Airport in San Luis Talpa. Photo: Reuters

Shanghai, China

Pedestrians wearing face masks ride an escalator near an overpass with an electronic board showing the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock indexes, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, at Lujiazui financial district, in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters

Sofia, Bulgaria

A woman stands at her balcony as she applauds doctors and nurses fighting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as part of a nationwide initiative to show unity and support in Sofia. Photo: Reuters

Barcelona, Spain

A Monument to Francesc Macia is pictured on Plaza de Catalunya (Catalonia Square) during partial lockdown as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Barcelona. Photo: Reuters

Vina Del Mar, Chile

Local workers clean the streets as a precautionary measure, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Vina del Mar. Photo: Reuters

Toronto, Canada

Cars in the parking lot of a Cineplex Cinema, as the number of novel coronavirus cases continued to grow in Toronto, Ontario. Photo: Reuters

Makati, Philippines

A man walks on an empty road at the central business district as the government implements an "enhanced community quarantine" in the country’s main island Luzon to contain the coronavirus, in Makati City, Metro Manila. Photo: Reuters

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus during the match versus Portuguesa, played behind closed doors, at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Reuters

Rome, Italy

A man sits alone on a roof terrace during Italy's nationwide lockdown in Rome. Photo: Reuters

Buenos Aires, Argentina

A man is seen while having his temperature taken as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, outside the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace, in Buenos Aires. Photo: Reuters

Athens, Greece

A pedestrian makes her way on a empty square in front of the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, as the Greek government implemented strict precautionary measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens. Photo: Reuters

Algiers, Algeria

People wearing protective masks walk, following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers. Photo: Reuters

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Photo: Parbir Das.