With near-deserted streets and police checks, the seven million people of Chile's capital, Santiago, began a strict quarantine after a sharp resurgence of coronavirus cases, AFP reports.

Normal activity in the capital was down 85 per cent, the government said, as people were only allowed to leave their homes for essential food and medicine and a short period of exercise.

"Blocks and blocks of the city are completely empty and we can take it that this is a good start," Health Minister Jaime Manalich told reporters at Santiago airport after a fly-over of the city.