London and the rest of the UK are in lockdown, with the public having been told by the government that they must stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
The rapid spread of Covid-19 around Europe has prompted most governments to bring in social distancing measures to reduce contact between people in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
In March, UK prime minister Boris Johnson issued guidelines stating that everyone must stay at home apart from in exceptional circumstances.
The general public have been told that they can only leave their home to exercise once a day – either alone, or with members of their household – and to shop for basic necessities such as food.
For the latest information and advice on coronavirus in the UK, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
The only other acceptable reasons for leaving home are for a medical need, to provide care for a vulnerable person, and to travel to or from work (but only where this is absolutely necessary).
Pubs, restaurants, clubs, cafes, gyms and all other non-essential business have also been instructed to close until further by the government.
The lockdown rules, which have been brought in to slow the spread of Covid-19 in order not to overwhelm medical facilities, will be reviewed by the government every three weeks on an ongoing basis.
The wide-ranging measures have prompted the vast majority of people to follow the guidelines – and the UK’s capital is now practically deserted, with most London shops and businesses closed until further notice.
Here are some pictures of a deserted London in lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
A bus pulls up at an empty bus stop on Oxford Street in London
Some trains are still running at Waterloo but most people are not travelling
Carnaby Street is totally deserted during the London lockdown
An empty Jubilee line train during the London coronavirus lockdown
The Millennium Bridge is almost empty, with only a few people crossing it
Oxford Circus is completely deserted during the lockdown, with all non-essential shops and businesses closed
A deserted street near Piccadilly Circus in central London
The area around Green Park tube station is completely deserted
London’s Oxford Street is completely deserted during the coronavirus lockdown
A popular photo spots with tourists, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain at Piccadilly Circus, is completely deserted
Some stalls at Borough Market remain operational
Some empty escalators at London Bridge tube station
Canary Wharf is known for being an extremely busy tube station, but it is now practically empty
London Bridge station is one of the capital’s busiest stations, but now it is completely deserted
The street outside Liberty in central London is empty
Regent Street is totally deserted and all non-essential shops are closed
Piccadilly Circus is usually bustling with crowds but it is now almost empty
There are very few vehicles on the road apart from buses and emergency services
All but the essential shops on Oxford Street are closed
Borough Market is usually bustling with shoppers
A deserted Oxford Street
An empty bus stop at Oxford Circus Station
London’s side-streets are also deserted
In central London, Regent Street is completely deserted
A sign at London Bridge tube station advises people not to travel unless absolutely necessary
The John Lewis shop on Oxford Street is closed until further notice during the lockdown
The National Theatre is closed and empty
A sign at a tube station during the London coronavirus lockdown advises people not to use public transport unless absolutely necessary
All of the bars and restaurants on the South Bank are closed
London’s South Bank is usually a hive of activity, but there is hardly anyone on the streets
The Southbank Centre is closed and deserted
A deserted Waterloo train station
A sign in Waterloo tube station reminds the public about the social distancing guidelines
Waterloo tube station is usually busy, but it is completely deserted right now
A deserted platform at Bond Street Station during the lockdown
Regent Street without any cars or other vehicles during the lockdown
Bond Street tube station is deserted, with the public told not to travel unless journeys are absolutely essential
Empty escalators in Bond Street tube station
The local wildlife seems to be enjoying the lack of people on the South Bank
An almost-empty road near New Bond Street in central London
The South Bank is deserted during the lockdown
All non-essential shops and restaurants have been instructed to close by the government
All of the shops are closed on Carnaby Street
Oxford Street is almost totally empty
An empty road leads towards London’s Leicester Square
Borough Market remains partially open, but there is hardly anyone around
The Tate Modern is closed and the areas around the museum are empty
The Millennium Bridge, which leads to St Paul’s from the South Bank, was deserted
A boarded up pub on the South Bank
Borough Market is usually bustling with shoppers
A deserted London Bridge tube station during the lockdown
The Apple Store at Regent Street is closed, and the area is almost empty
