Macau’s mobility data in walking and driving has been low since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed on January 22, according to Apple’s latest tool that traces travel behaviour over the last three months.
The US tech company said in a statement on Tuesday that releasing the mobility data trends tool from its Maps app was to support the impactful work happening around the globe to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“This mobility data may provide helpful insights to local governments and health authorities and may also be used as a foundation for new public policies by showing the change in volume of people driving, walking or taking public transport in their communities,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Maps app does not associate mobility data with a user’s Apple ID, the company does not keep a history of where a user has been, and the information is generated by counting the number of requests made to its Maps app for directions.
The mobility data trends tool covers 63 major cities and countries, and shows figures based on 100 on January 13.
For Macau, the figure for walking was highest on January 20, logging 179.09 requests for directions. The figure dropped to 80 on January 23, the day after the government confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the city.
The lowest figure was recorded on February 8 with just 7.51, the first weekend after the government ordered the temporary shutdown of casinos, and remained below 10 for a week when the government extended the suspension of public services.
The mobility trend for walking picked up afterwards, but is still mainly below the 20 mark.
In a graph chart, the mobility data shows that requests for directions on April 14 for walking dropped 85 per cent from the baseline, and for driving they fell 75 per cent.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macau News)
PHOTO © Apple
