Sydney's CBD has fallen silent as Australia's increasing social-distancing measures and fears about coronavirus spark a mass exodus in business hubs and tourist hotspots.
With more than 200 cases of COVID-19 in NSW and an exponential increase expected, many workplaces have told staff to stay home to help curb the spread of the virus.
Martin Place, Barangaroo and Circular Quay have become ghost towns punctuated with empty restaurants and deserted shops, and there's never been more room on the roads or train platforms.
And while deserted streets make for a much calmer city to get around, it has left many small business owners anxious about what is to come.
In the financial hub of Martin Place, peak hour normally means thousands of people striding to and from the train station.
But that stampede was gone this week,
Lin Gia runs a news stand in the famous pedestrian mall and normally has a constant flow of corporate types.
"I can't close as a I need to pay my rent but even if I can pay that, I may have no money left for me," she said.
"If only I worked in an office where I could still be paid while working from home."
She said the only thing keeping her business afloat now were lotto ticket sales.
Libby Rose, who works at a fruit stall near Wynyard station, said the business had taken a massive hit.
"We are seeing about a third of the normal foot traffic ... I made around $10 between 4pm and 5pm which is normally our busiest time," she said.
"We may only open three days a week if this keeps up."
Ms Rose works on a casual basis and said it was nerve-wracking watching people cart their office supplies home.
With social-distancing measures, travel bans and infections all expected to increase, she doesn't think the workers will be back any time soon.
