Google Map introduces a new feature to alert users about COVID-19 related travel restrictions, crowded places, border checkpoints, medical facilities, etc. By Tanvi Jain
Now you can easily stay updated about the latest COVID-19 related travel restrictions, with Google Map’s new feature which will alert you about the same. “COVID-19 has made getting around more complicated. We’re helping you get from A to B with new features that alert you about important information and allow you to avoid crowds on public transit → http://goo.gle/2zdNf0q,” Google Maps tweeted.
COVID-19 has made getting around more complicated. We're helping you get from A to B with new features that alert you to important information and allow you to safely avoid crowds on public transit → https://t.co/UbvQy9ihcC pic.twitter.com/1LozSND3WL
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) June 8, 2020
“In our latest release of Google Maps on Android and iOS, we’re introducing features to help you easily find important information if you need to venture out, whether it’s by car or public transportation,” the app mentioned on its blog post.
“Transit alerts are rolling out in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom and the US where we have information from local transit agencies, with more coming soon,” it added.
"Reducing the risk of bringing something home to my family has made a huge difference in my peace of mind.”
Google Search and @GoogleMaps are making it easier for frontline, medical and essential workers to find hotels offering special accommodations → https://t.co/R8SSJDLSRL pic.twitter.com/MMxjY1LtDx
— Google (@Google) May 21, 2020
The feature will also give driving alerts to notify users about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along the route. When navigating to medical facilities or COVID-19 testing centres, it will further remind the user to verify eligibility and facility guidelines to avoid being turned away or causing additional strain on the local healthcare system. As of now the alerts for medical facilities are available across Indonesia, Israel, the Philippines, South Korea, and the US, and testing centre alerts in the US.
Moreover, the feature will even give driving alerts to notify the user about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along their route, for example, when crossing national borders (starting first in Canada, Mexico and the US). The alert will show up on the directions screen and after starting navigation, in case one’s route is impacted by these restrictions.
Rolling out on Maps: quickly find out if a place is wheelchair accessible. ♿
Turn on the new Accessible Places feature to make accessibility information easier to find when you search. Learn more → https://t.co/faYRS0d2lG #GAAD pic.twitter.com/tNPsL2lgKi
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) May 21, 2020
The company further mentioned that all the alerts that are being shown on the app are based on authoritative data received from local, state and federal governments or from their websites.
Related: You Won’t Find These Restricted Places Anywhere Except Google Earth
