Photos: Athens' streets deserted during COVID-19 lockdown

Deserted squares, padlocked parks, empty avenues where lines of cars once idled bumper-to-bumper in traffic as motorbikes and scooters zoomed through the narrow gaps between. The Greek capital, Athens, like so many cities across the world, has seen its streets empty under a lockdown designed to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. | Above: A view of Monastiraki square, usually the most crowded area in central Athens.

Compared with many other countries, Greece took aggressive measures early. Schools, kindergartens and universities were shut after the first confirmed cases, while more restrictions were introduced every couple of days: ski resorts and public organised beaches closed, retail stores shut down, routine surgeries canceled, churches shuttered, more and more people advised to work from home. | Above: An aerial view of the Athens University headquarters building and a deserted Panepistimiou street, in Athens.

On March 23, a full lockdown was implemented, allowing people to leave home only for specific reasons. At the time, Greece had 624 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 15 deaths. | Above: Vehicles on Poseidonos avenue, with the beach of Paleo Faliro at left, in southern Athens.

Officials say it will take weeks to determine whether the restrictions are bearing fruit. So far, the virus had killed 63 people in Greece. At least 1,673 had been confirmed positive. | Above: A view of the Parthenon Temple on top of the Acropolis hills with the deserted Plaka tourist district, in Athens.

A municipal worker wearing a protective suit sprays disinfectant in front of the Kapnikarea Orthodox church in central Athens during the lockdown.

The main Athens' Syntagma square is seen empty during the lockdown.

A commuter exits from Panepistimio Metro station at the deserted Korai pavement street in central Athens.

Police gather at a checkpoint in the empty Amalias avenue, in central Athens during the lockdown.

Cars use Syngrou avenue, a major road linking the central Athens with the southern seaside zone of the Greek capital.

A few cars use the empty Amalias avenue with the temple of Zeus in the background, in central Athens during the lockdown.

A view of Poseidonos avenue and the beach of Paleo Faliro in southern Athens during the lockdown.

A view of the virtually empty Syntagma square, with the Greek parliament in the background, in Athens.

A view of a deserted Ermou street, Athens' main shopping area.

An aerial view of a worksite of the new fountain in Omonoia square as taxis line-up in central Athens during the lockdown.

A view of the empty Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and Syngrou avenue during the lockdown.

A view of the empty Panepistimiou street by the Athens Academy during the lockdown.

A view of the 19th century statue of the ancient goddess Athena, above the Athens Academy, with three taxis are parked on the empty Panepistimiou street, in Athens.

The Parthenon Temple is illuminated atop of Acropolis hill during the lockdown, in Athens.

Pedestrians walk in Akadimias street in central Athens.

A view of the empty Monastiraki square, usually the most crowded area in central Athens.

A view of a virtually deserted Stadiou street in Athens.

This aerial photo shows a virtually empty Syntagma square, in Athens.

A view of the empty Kotzia square, with the Athens City Hall in the background in central Athens during the lockdown.