Drone footage shows San Francisco streets eerily deserted (VIDEO)

Video footage taken from a drone flying over San Francisco conveys the immense emptiness that the city is experiencing following the shelter-in-place ordinance issued on March 17.

The footage — captured by YouTube user Anthony Privitelli — shows the eerily empty streets in the city, which are usually abundant with activity, noise, and crowds.

But the empty streets and vacant businesses in this instance represent a bittersweet initiative and collective effort between citizens to protect themselves and each other.

“The virus that causes Coronavirus 2019 Disease (“COVID-19″) is easily
transmitted, especially in group settings, and it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed,” the city’s ordinance states.

As such, all those living in the Bay Area region, notably including populations more susceptible to contracting coronavirus as well as healthcare providers, have been ordered to “shelter in place” or stay home.

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There are, however, a few exceptions.

Those operating or working to provide essential businesses and government services or those working in necessary public infrastructure construction, including housing, are exempt.

The shelter-in-place order will remain in operation until April 7, 2020.

All bars and nightclubs across San Francisco are also closed, and only restaurants that provide takeout and delivery services are permitted to remain open.

Gyms and athletic facilities are also closed.

The importance of physical and social distancing during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic cannot be expressed enough, and it is only through isolating ourselves and reducing events with crowds that the virus will stop spreading.