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 April 2, looks at data between Friday, February 19, and Friday, April 2.

The data shows there has been a six per cent increase in the number of people visiting supermarkets and pharmacy's.

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There has also been a 39 per cent rise in the number of people visiting parks in the area.

Fewer people have been using public transport - an area which has seen a 72 per cent drop in visitors.

Workplaces have also received less visits with a 73 per cent decrease compared to the baseline.

The data comes as Boris Johnson has pledged to make testing requirements for returning holidaymakers “as affordable as possible”.

The Prime Minister’s promise follows concerns that many people across the UK will be priced out of foreign travel as plans for a new system were unveiled on Monday.

The plans would require travellers arriving in the UK from low-risk countries to take pre-departure and post-arrival coronavirus tests.

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Travellers returning from countries rated “green” will not be required to self-isolate, although pre-departure and post-arrival tests will still be needed.