Satellite images capture impact of coronavirus from Space

Satellite images have captured landmarks, recreation locations and airports deserted amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

As governments have urged their citizens to stay home, many popular locations have been pictured significantly quieter than in weeks goneby.

In the UK, Boris Johnson announced emergency legislation will be brought in to allow police and immigration officials to detain those they believe are a threat to public health.

The measures come alongside a raft of other steps, including extra employment protections for those who volunteer at hospitals.

Among the locations are New York City's famous Statue of Liberty. The location, which is normally busy with tourists, is significantly quieter in satelitte images taken this week.

The Statue of Liberty in NYC is pictured virtually deserted. Credit: Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies

Back in the UK, emergency government legislation will see recently retired NHS and adult social staff will be enabled to return to work without any loss of pension rights.

Across the world, governments have raced to prevent the further spread of the disease. Portugal has recorded its first death from the virus. Authorities there have placed the country on the highest level of alert.

Lisbon's Praca do Comercio is seen deserted on March 17. Credit: Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies

Italy is the hardest-hit European nation so far with more than 1,800 deaths.

The country is in lockdown and the Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes and said tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.

Pictured is Milan's Duomo, normally packed with sightseers, it is now deserted.

Milan's Duomo is normally busy with tourists, it is now deserted. Credit: Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies

As fewer people travel, car hire companies are seeing fewer of their cars being rented out.

At Phoenix Airport in Arizona, a parking lot is pictured much busier than usual. Here, where hire cars are stored, fewer people renting them out means they remain in storage.

A parking lot at Phoenix Airport in Arizona showing before the outbreak and now. Credit: Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies
Lisbon Airport on February 27 compared with March 17 2020. Credit: Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know