Google Maps adds new features to help avoid crowds and COVID-19

As COVID-19 remains a factor in our daily lives, Google has today announced new updates for Maps which will help you avoid crowds.

With Maps polling data from users in real-time, Google has seen a load of trends since COVID-19 changed all our worlds. Dane Glasgow, VP of Product, Google Maps says that Google has added nearly 250 new features and improvements to Google Maps to help users adapt to this new normal.

The new features expand on existing features like busyness of a location is now available for transit information, as well as new information in the COVID layer in maps, letting you asses the situation before you go. You’ll also see information about your food and takeout orders.

Previously Google Maps COVID layer showed ‘a seven-day average of new COVID cases per 100,000 people for the area of the map you’re looking at, and a label that indicates whether the cases are trending up or down’. The new update will now show ‘all-time detected cases in an area, along with quick links to COVID resources from local authorities’.

Google is also adding information about your daily commute, and how busy it is based on real-time feedback from Google Maps users. Where the data is available, Maps will show the ‘crowdedness’ of your bus, train, or subway line, just like it shows busy times for stores.

Lastly you’ll be able to see the live status of takeout and delivery orders. Google says ‘we’re rolling out the ability to see the live status of takeout and delivery orders in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil and India when you book or order from Google Maps on Android and iOS‘.

More than a billion people use Google Maps, and with live aggregated data improving information on when people are around gives you options to avoid them. Features announced today are going live on Android and iOS, so make sure your app is updated and you’ll start seeing these features shortly.