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.

READ ALSO: Reading placed in tier 2: this is what you can and cannot do.

The Covid-19 Community Mobility Report dated November 22 looks at data between Sunday, October 11, and Sunday, November 22.

More people have been visiting parks which have seen a 51 per cent increase in visits compared to the baseline.

Additionally, there has been a 10 per cent rise in the number of people visiting residential areas.

Retail and recreation has seen a drop in visitors. There has been a 63 per cent decrease compared to the baseline.

Fewer people have been making trips to supermarkets and pharmacies with data showing a 20 per cent drop in the number of people visiting these places.

Public transport such as buses and trains have been used by residents less too.

There has been a 65 per cent decrease in the number of people using these modes of transport.

Reading has been placed in tier 2 of the new three-tier Covid restrictions which will come into force at the end of lockdown on December 2.

READ ALSO: Uber taxi driver who operated illegally in Reading ordered to pay almost £3,000 in legal costs.

In tier 2 (high alert) residents are not allowed to mix households indoors apart from support bubbles and a maximum of six people can meet outdoors.

Everyone who can work from home is being asked to.

Weddings, civil partnerships, wedding receptions and wakes are allowed 15 guests and funerals are allowed 30 guests.

Tier restrictions are stricter compared to the previous tier system as the government seeks to get the virus under control.