Google Mobility Report shows how Filipinos practice social distancing amid COVID-19

Google released a Mobility Report on how Filipinos responded to the social distancing measures imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Location accuracy and the understanding of categorized places varies from region to region, so we don’t recommend using this data to compare changes between countries, or between regions with different characteristics (e.g., rural versus urban areas),” Google said.

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The report shouldn’t be used for medical diagnostic, prognostic, or treatment purposes. It also isn’t intended to be used for guidance on personal travel plans, it said.

According to its latest report on April 5, Filipinos reduced their trips to places like restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, theme parks, museums, libraries, and movie theaters by 82 percent.

Filipinos cut back their trips to grocery markets, food warehouses, farmer’s markets, specialty food shops, drug stores, and pharmacies by 62 percent.

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Mobility trends for places like national parks, public beaches, marinas, dog parks, plazas, and public gardens are reduced by 60 percent.

Filipinos have also cut back on trips to public transport hubs such as subway, bus, and train stations by 84 percent.

Also read: 10 arrested for watching alleged cockfight in Mandaluyong

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Google Mobility Report Philippines

Mobility trends for places of work are cut by 54 percent, while mobility in residential areas increased by 26 percent.

“These reports show how visits and length of stay at different places change compared to a baseline. We calculate these changes using the same kind of aggregated and anonymized data used to show popular times for places in Google Maps,” Google said in its report.

It noted that the report was developed while adhering to stringent privacy protocols and policies.

“People who have Location History turned on can choose to turn it off at any time from their Google Account and can always delete Location History data directly from their Timeline,” the company added.

Google, however, did not indicate the specific locations covered by the report.

“We include categories that are useful to social distancing efforts as well as access to essential services,” Google said.