GOOGLE is using location data gathered from phones to help public health officials understand how people’s movements have changed in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The reports use data from people who have opted in to storing their location history with Google to help illustrate the degree to which people are adhering to government instructions.

The Covid-19 Community Mobility Report dated October 9, 2020, looks at data between Friday, August 28, and Friday, October 9.

READ ALSO: Reading roadworks taking place this week.

The data shows there has been a 25 per cent rise in the number of people visiting parks compared to the baseline.

Similarly, there has been a 14 per cent increase in the number of people making trips to residential areas.

Workplace visits have dropped by 41 per cent compared to the baseline and the use of public transport has also decreased by 51 per cent.

Retail and recreation visits which comprise of restaurants, cafes and shopping centres have dropped by 34 per cent.

It comes as prime minister Boris Johnson announced a three tier coronavirus system for England.

READ MORE: Tier 1: Covid restrictions for Reading explained.

The government has said Reading will be in tier one at 'medium' alert level which is the lowest of the three Covid-19 tiers with the least tight restrictions.