Lockdown movement traced in North Lanarkshire as fresh figures are released

The tech giant’s latest weekly report shows people across the UK are venturing out to retail and recreation much less than usual, with footfall at a quarter of usual levels.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people’s movement in the home, retail and recreation establishments, grocery stores and pharmacies, public transport hubs, workplaces, and parks and green spaces.

The latest weekly report shows an increase in activity within North Lanarkshire’s retail and recreation venues during the week to May 2, compared to the week before – suggesting people are venturing out to shops more regularly, or for longer periods of time.

Over the seven days, time spent in retail sites was 63 per cent lower than during a five-week baseline period at the start of the year. The week before, it had been 64 per cent lower than usual levels.

Grocery stores and speciality food shops were not included.

In the first report, which covered the week to March 29 when the lockdown came into effect, retail activity was down 68 per cent.

The data suggests that the population in North Lanarkshire are staying away from retail and recreation venues less successfully than in other locations across the UK though. Nationally, people were spending 74 per cent less time than usual in shopping centres and food outlets.

Last week, the UK Government relaxed its advice to people to stay at home, changing its messaging to “stay alert, control the virus, save lives” – though Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have kept the original, stronger messaging.

Health experts have expressed concern that the new slogan lacks clarity and may lead to an increase in “risky behaviour” from the public.

In England people can take unlimited amounts of exercise, and some business can open if staff cannot work from home.

In Scotland people can now exercise more than once a day.

In other locations in North Lanarkshire: Visits to public transport hubs were 54 per cent down on usual levels; workplaces were 58 per cent quieter than usual; food shops and pharmacies saw 23 per cent less traffic; and people spent 22 per cent more time at home than usual.