The 10 Most Amusing Coronavirus Lockdown Activities Across the Globe

As the global COVID-19 crisis deepens, a growing number of individuals worldwide are finding themselves under various forms of lockdown, as governments implement drastic measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus. It is estimated that roughly a third of the global population is currently in some form of mandatory isolation.

With weeks of confinement to our homes and limited outdoor activities allowed, boredom has inevitably set in. People across the globe are finding creative ways to pass the time while isolated. In many European cities, residents are restricted to their small apartments in towering apartment complexes, while those in Australia and New Zealand can still enjoy the luxury of their backyards.

This forced isolation has underscored the essential need for daily social interaction with friends and neighbors.

Despite the severity of the situation, humor during such tough times has served as a coping mechanism, helping us manage these extraordinary restrictions on our lives. This has sparked the #Stayathome challenge on social media, offering a way to alleviate our boredom and entertain others who are seeking refuge in the internet for amusement. Hilarious memes and videos are flooding the web, offering moments of light-hearted relief in the face of the crisis.

Several communities have come up with creative solutions to stay connected during isolation, while others have taken a more humorous approach to bypass restrictions. Many have made it a point not to let canceled travel plans stop them from having a good time.

10. Balcony Bingo

Residents of a housing development in Ringsend, Dublin recently competed for Easter egg prizes and toilet paper in a game of 'Balcony Bingo'.

Michael Larkin, a local resident, took it upon himself to lighten the mood during isolation. Dressed in a protective suit, Larkin distributed bingo cards to residents, who then returned to their balconies, adhering to the strict 2-meter social distancing rule.

Then, it was 'eyes down' as numbers were called through a PA system. Larkin was thrilled with the response his innovative entertainment received on social media, leading nearby communities to adopt the idea to bring joy to their elderly residents.

In Shebyville, Kentucky, the staff of a Masonic retirement village have made sure that the 1500 residents can still enjoy their bingo games, despite the lockdown.

Residents can be spotted lined up at tables along a long corridor, crossing off numbers on their bingo cards as they are announced from a nurse's station at the far end of the hall.

9. Rooftop Aerobics

A Spanish fitness instructor took things to new heights in an effort to lift the spirits and fitness levels of his isolated neighbors. Trainer Gonzalo saw the lockdown as the perfect opportunity to promote health and well-being while people stayed indoors for two weeks.

To navigate the strict lockdown restrictions in Seville, Spain, the trainer went up to a rooftop courtyard with a PA system, urging nearby residents to join in the fun as the lively music played. Neighbors from surrounding buildings gathered on their balconies, participating in an aerobic workout that included squats, star jumps, and crunches as the music echoed through the air. Each morning, excited residents don their workout clothes to get their daily dose of exercise, all while safely staying in isolation.

8. Barking Mad

Lockdown and isolation are driving many people barking mad. A daily 30-minute walk with the dog has become a vital escape for many residents across the globe in need of some fresh air.

In Palencia, Spain, a man came up with a hair-brained scheme to exploit the dog-walking exception. He put a leash on a fluffy toy dog and set out for a stroll with his inanimate canine companion. However, his plans quickly unraveled when passing police officers caught wind of his antics, stopping him in his tracks. The Spaniard received a hefty fine for his dogged attempt to break isolation rules.

7. Toulouse Balcony Run

Sports worldwide have come to a halt. Organized events and even the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed, leaving athletes searching for ways to stay fit and continue training while in isolation.

A French runner was determined not to let his marathon training for two major races go to waste. The man from Toulouse managed to complete a full marathon right from his tiny balcony. Despite the cancellation of both the Barcelona and Paris marathons, the 32-year-old runner pushed on and finished his race, completing laps of his 7-meter balcony. It took him just 6 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 26.2 miles.

6. T-rextreme Measures

Spanish police were left stunned when they discovered a dinosaur on the loose, blatantly ignoring the strict isolation rules in place under the current lockdown. Many residents are taking the opportunity to walk their pets, but it appears that 'T-Rex' is not an acceptable exception to the rule.

A man from Murcia was found strolling outside in a full, inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex costume. It's unclear whether the costume would offer any protection against COVID-19, but it certainly didn’t shield him from the local authorities. The police were quick to remind everyone that while walking pets is allowed, 'dinosaurs' do not qualify. A video of the strange encounter, set to the 'Jurassic Park' theme, quickly went viral on social media.

5. Balcony Concerts

Balcony singing quickly became one of the first viral isolation stories on social media, as Italians, feeling bored and disconnected, sought ways to connect with friends and neighbors. From impromptu instrumental concerts, with piano, saxophone, and violin joining in from nearby windows, to full neighborhood sing-alongs, this phenomenon spread worldwide, lifting the spirits of those in isolation. Voices reverberating across quiet courtyards have brought people together through song. Professional singers now regularly entertain their neighborhoods, while others join in for spontaneous percussion sessions. In Boston, Massachusetts, singer Mike DiCarlo took to his balcony and performed a Corona-inspired parody of Neil Diamond’s 'Sweet Caroline.'

Nearby residents quickly joined in on the ‘hands not touching hands’ version of the iconic song. What started as a one-off performance turned into a nightly ritual, with requests being submitted via social media. The most requested songs are performed at 6pm every evening.

4. Disney at Home

Many of us have had to cancel eagerly awaited vacations as airlines and tourist attractions around the world shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disneyland was one of the first major attractions to close its gates due to the global crisis.

One US family, whose Disney vacation was cancelled, cleverly turned their forced 'staycation' into a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' themed adventure right at home.

3. Virtual Zoo

As parents juggle the complexities of homeschooling children during isolation, many zoos have stepped in to help by live-streaming their animal exhibits. #AnimalsAtHome lets children explore tigers, bears, dolphins, and otters in zoos and aquariums closed due to COVID-19, offering hours of engaging and educational entertainment.

Edinburgh Zoo was one of the pioneers in offering this sanity-saving service. It allowed exhausted parents to give their kids a 'day at the zoo' while they adjusted to the new demands of homeschooling.

At Melbourne Zoo in Australia, the action in the giraffe enclosure was momentarily overshadowed by a spontaneous dance performance from a zookeeper. His extravagant fan-waving and twirling antics quickly went viral on social media, and though the giraffes seemed indifferent to the show, viewers were delighted by the spectacle.

2. Televised Cruise

Cruising to exotic destinations has become a popular vacation choice. However, with the widespread COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships around the world, many travelers have opted to avoid the risk, leading to the cancellation of most cruises indefinitely.

The cancellation of their Pacific Island cruise didn’t dampen the spirits of an Australian couple. With the help of YouTube videos, they dressed in their cruise outfits, settled into their living room, and enjoyed a virtual cruise while sipping cocktails in front of their TV screen.

The virtual cruise experience was a welcome distraction that lifted their spirits during the isolation period.

1. Balcony Tennis, Madrid

While organized sports may be off-limits for the time being, sports fans have found innovative ways to stay active during isolation. One spontaneous event gained massive attention as two men in Madrid captured the internet’s imagination with their tennis match, played across their apartment windows.

The game featured the players exchanging shots between their apartment windows, calling 'out' when the ball fell to the ground.

I’m sure there was no 'window' for challenging the umpire’s calls during this game, and the luxury of a ballboy fetching missed shots was certainly absent.