In pictures: Life on balconies as the world locks down

Published Mar 28, 2020 · Updated Jun 3, 2025

Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. St Helens, Britain, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC20RF95EWP6

With British schools shut, children pose with their rainbow drawing, a message of hope as the pandemic spreads Image: REUTERS/Phil Noble

Ceri Parker

Previously Commissioning Editor, Forum Stories, World Economic Forum

Daily life has been transformed for hundreds of millions of people as the coronavirus pandemic prompts unprecedented lockdowns.

A trip to do the food shopping becomes a treat, walking the dog an escape not a chore. Those lucky enough to have balconies make the most of the daylight - and the chance to make a connection with their communities.

Drawn from Reuters photography, here are some glimpses of people keeping their spirits up in quarantine.

Image: REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

Chin up: A woman sings from her balcony in Rome. Italy has endured national quarantine measures to fight a devastating coronavirus outbreak since March 9, 2020.

A resident of Brooklyn relaxes in a hammock hung on a balcony to read a book as the city practices social distancing due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson - RC2KOF9V3YJF

Image: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Social distancing, the chill-out edition: A Brooklyn resident takes to a hammock as coronavirus cases soar in New York.

Residents clap and bang utensils from their balcony to cheer for emergency personnel and sanitation workers who are on the frontlines in the fight against coronavirus, in Ahmedabad, India, March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Amit Dave - RC20PF9TNM3V

Image: REUTERS/Amit Dave

Make some noise: Residents in Ahmedabad, India, show their appreciation for health workers - part of a global wave of solidarity.

People stand at their apartment balconies as a flash mob to raise morale takes place, following the Italian government restrictive movement measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak, in Rome, Italy, March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi - RC2IKF9538UM

Image: REUTERS/Yara Nardi

Flash...mop? People turn out on their balconies en masse to raise morale in Rome.

A man wearing a face mask and his dog look out of a window as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Prague, Czech Republic, March 24, 2020. REUTERS/David W Cerny - RC2HQF9O7H9O

Image: REUTERS/David W Cerny

Hounded out: A man and his pet get some air in Prague, Czech Republic. The country has closed its borders and declared a state of emergency.

Image: REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC27PF9BUU69

Cheers: Residents enjoy a neighbourhood aperitif from a safe distance in Brussels, Belgium

Personal trainer Antonietta Orsini carries out an exercise class for her neighbours from her balcony while Italians cannot leave their homes due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rome, Italy, March 18, 2020. Picture taken March 18, 2020 REUTERS/Remo Casilli TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2WMF9RAEOP

Image: REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Stretch goals: A personal trainer carries out an exercise class from her balcony in Rome.

Osama Hussein trains on the roof of his house, while gyms closed as a preventive measure against coronavirus in Erbil, Iraq March 11, 2020. REUTERS/ Azad Lashkari - RC2UHF95YN04

Image: REUTERS/ Azad Lashkari

Open-air gym: Quarantine is no excuse for this weight-lifter in Erbil, Iraq.

People gather at a rooftop in a residential building during the national quarantine in response to the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Caracas, Venezuela March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero - RC26PF9TGHJV

Image: REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

Looking up: People gather on a roof in Caracas, Venezuela, amid a national quarantine.

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