In Italy, trips to recreational or commercial locations fell by 94%, while trips to food shops or pharmacies decreased by 85%. This is what has emerged from analysis published on Thursday 2 April by Google and highlighted by the Reuters news agency, which compiles location data recorded by the company in 131 countries.
Google's analysis represents the largest set of geopositioning data available today. It presents graphs that compare traffic from 16 February to 29 March in metro, train and bus stations, food shops and other broad categories of places within a five-week period earlier this year. It shows that while travel decreased in Italy during the lockdown, it spiked in the UK before the travel restrictions came into force.
“These reports have been developed to be of use while adhering to our strict privacy protocols and policies”, said Dr Karen DeSalvo, Google Health's Chief Health Officer, and Jen Fitzpatrick, Google Maps vice president, in a company blog. The data used comes from users who have activated the 'Location History' function of their device. Google says it has taken steps to ensure that no one can be identified.
Facebook, Inc. has also shared location data with non-governmental researchers who produce similar reports for authorities in several countries. However, the social media giant didn't publish any results.
On Friday 3 April, the Robert Koch Institute, which is in charge of leading the fight against the pandemic in Germany, said that the restrictions implemented in the country were beginning to slow the spread of the virus. On the same day, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the end of her self-quarantine. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)