Drone video captures Philly's empty streets during coronavirus pandemic

While it's eerie to see the city so desolate, it's also a hopeful sight

A drone video from 717 Drone Guys on Youtube captured aerial footage of Philadelphia during the COVID-19 crisis finds the city empty of people and traffic. The video shows the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Dilworth Park, Independence Mall and other locations throughout the city.
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

Philadelphia residents are being asked to stay home and social distance to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Things like parties, weddings and Easter gatherings have been greatly modified or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. And schools are closed for the remainder of the academic year.


RELATED: In open letter, Mayor Kenney says Philly spirit will return to 'silent streets' | Officers use 1955 syphilis law to cite Pennsylvania woman who allegedly violated stay-at-home order


It's a difficult time for many who are out of work, unable to visit loved ones and stuck inside.

However, there's good reason to self-isolate. As of Thursday afternoon, Philadelphia reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There's also concern that the city could become a coronavirus hotspot.

It does seem Philly is taking the virus seriously, though, and adhering to the stay-at-home order – at least according to a video of the city taken by drone.

717 Drone Guys uploaded the video to their YouTube channel on Wednesday and, while it's eerie to see the city's normally busy streets desolate, it's also a hopeful sight. By staying home and flattening the curve, we can save lives.

The video shows the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Dilworth Park, Independence Mall and other locations throughout the city that are usually filled with people.

"Historic aerial footage of Philadelphia like it's never been seen before – during a quarantine shelter in place order during the COVID-19 outbreak," reads the description. "The absence of people and traffic give the city a surreal, eerie feeling. A big shout-out to the medical community on the front lines battling this."



Follow Sinéad & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @sineadpatrice | @thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice
Add Sinéad's RSS feed to your feed reader
Have a news tip? Let us know.