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PHOTOS: Downtown Chicago deserted during COVID-19 outbreak

ByZach Ben-Amots WLS logo
Friday, March 20, 2020
Earlier this week, the city shut down public access to the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millenium Park - popularly known as the Bean.
The Lake/Randolph red line CTA station is usually packed with commuters during the morning, but now remains empty most of the day.
Only one passenger waits under the heat lamps at the elevated State & Lake CTA stop, usually a high-traffic zone.
Most CTA train stops are nearly empty or completely empty.
The Chicago Theatre is usually surrounded by tourists using the marquee as a backdrop for photos.
Share bikes are going unused across the city, as Chicagoans avoid shared transportation modes. But some are still going outside for runs.
Only a few joggers are taking advantage of the usually popular running paths along the lakefront.
Pritzker Amphitheater in Millenium Park was also empty.
Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's famous Grant Park is completely deserted.
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PHOTOS: Downtown Chicago deserted during COVID-19 outbreakEarlier this week, the city shut down public access to the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millenium Park - popularly known as the Bean.
Zach Ben-Amots

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Social distancing during COVID-19 is creating a remarkable scene in downtown Chicago, where some of the most popular and crowded spaces are all but deserted.

ABC7 gathered photos at some of the spots that are usually filled with tourists and commuters to find them all eerily empty.

Only a few joggers and police officers are at popular tourist destinations like the Bean, Millenium and Grant Parks, the lakefront, Museum Campus, and the Chicago Theatre.

Meanwhile, some of the highest traffic CTA stations are also nearly empty, as more and more workers in the Loop telecommute and work from home.

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