An event that's out of their control such as solar (red sun...most don't know exists) or asteroid, where many will die. It's the only explanation for the whole world acting in concert. With everyone at home, there's less involved in cleanup and it leaves the road ways (what's left) clear. It also enables the wealthy corp leaders and government to disappear into their underground bunkers without an uprising from the populous demanding to have a ticket into the underground cities.

I will say that they do enjoy prodding the public with craft wordings in their news conferences as do the actresses and other entertainers that have sold their souls. I would say that we're hardly leaving our homes anytime soon. All that said, the Chinese are out and about so I could certainly be wrong. My mother-in-law lives in China.