A sense of eerie, sombre quiet has enveloped Greater Manchester today — with many people all comparing the atmosphere to the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Images of deserted shopping centres, motorways, and public transport hubs are a stark reminder that this is not like any other Monday. While the second city would usually be alive with the hubbub of hustle and bustle on a typically damp September morning, today is far from the norm.
Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral has brought the country to a standstill, with many shops closing to give staff time off to pay their respects. And that’s led some people to compare the atmosphere in our region to that of lockdown in 2020.
READ MORE: Queen's funeral LIVE as nation comes to a standstill for state funeral of Elizabeth II
Photographers from the Manchester Evening News have captured the mood of the quiet as the city stopped to pay its respects. Starting in Piccadilly Gardens, only a handful of people were present - and were vastly outnumbered by the number of pigeons in the piazza.
Nearby, in the Arndale Shopping Centre, covered walkways were just as deserted and lifeless.
There were, however, a few more people on the other side of the shopping complex. Exchange Square is hosting a big screen so mourners can watch today's historic proceedings, with some braving the rain to take their seats.
A more popular viewing spot was inside Manchester Cathedral, with the centuries'-old building providing shelter from the elements.
It wasn't just Manchester city centre which was deserted this morning. Over the Irwell, into Salford, the usual choked-up Trinity Way and Chapel Street were absent of traffic.
More major thoroughfares were also abandoned. The M60 in Tameside had very few vehicles travelling towards Manchester city centre.
Read next:
BBC and ITV full day TV schedule for Queen's funeral bank holiday
- Queen Elizabeth II - an extraordinary life
- "There was that twinkle in the eye...": Past Prime Ministers give rare glimpse into the real woman behind the crown
- Queen Elizabeth II's visits to Greater Manchester down the decades
Queen's funeral LIVE as nation comes to a standstill for state funeral of Elizabeth II
