Most of us around the world haven’t used our favoured GPS navigation app since going into lockdown, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be useful. Worldwide driving using the navigation app Waze is down more than 60 percent (more than 90 percent in countries like Italy), basically overnight, but the Google-owned company has decided to add COVID-19 tools to its maps around the world, starting with an initial list of 56 countries.
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The company formed the Waze Crisis Response team, which is driving the initiative. They are working with local governments around the world, volunteer map editors as well as charity organisations and other groups to add more relevant information to your navigation app.
New waypoints and information notices are being added to the maps, including medical testing centres, quarantine road closures, and reminders about other local restrictions, like no parking at certain parks or beaches.
In the United States of America, they have added more than 30,000 emergency food sites. These new locations have been sources in conjunction with WhyHunger and No Kid Hungry. “Before COVID-19 hit, 37 million Americans were struggling with hunger,” Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger, said. “By integrating our database of tens of thousands of food providers into Waze, we will help serve even more people who are so deeply affected by this national crisis and connect them with one of life’s most critical resources: nutritious food.”
It’s worth noting that although Israel-based Waze was acquired by Google in 2013, it continues to operate with significant independence. Consequently, Waze and Google Maps are responding to the pandemic in distinct ways. Google recently made its own takeout and delivery filters more prominent in Maps, for instance, but Waze’s will be even clearer, with badges that appear directly on the map.
