Over the past year, Google has used its massive platforms to display useful, pandemic-related information. The latest is a simple encouragement in Google Maps about finding the nearest COVID-19 vaccination site.
Google Maps COVID-19 Vaccine Pin
Google Maps replaced the usual generic "Search here" prompt, and joins other PSAs in the app. The "Explore" tab links to a "COVID-19 info & vaccine locations" page for your area, while a "COVID-19 info" map layer has existed for some time now, according to 9to5 Google.
The other related features include Google adding COVID restrictions alerts, new road-trip mapping features, as vaccines enable a safe travel. The Search and Maps will soon list COVID-19 vaccination locations, so people can easily locate them.
Google Maps can now overlay how COVID-19 cases are trending before you visit and it can now show "Wear a Mask. Save Live's" banner with COVID-19 safety tips.
Google also highlights hotel rooms for COVID-19 responders and Google Maps adds COVID-19 warning messages when searching for medical locations, Google 360 reported.
Furthermore, YouTube is behind an online and TV ad campaign, while Google has released numerous high profile PSA messages.
One of them was when Google shared a heartwarming reason to get vaccinated as captured by a Nest Hello. Also, YouTube launched COVID-19 vaccine online and TV PSAs, focusing on Americans ages 18 to 34 years old.
Aside from that, Google Doodle promotes COVID-19 prevention with masks and social distancing, plus a Google ad about getting back after COVID-19 airs during NCAA Final Four to wide acclaim.
Google's COVID-19 Restriction Alerts
After getting vaccinated, people are now looking into finally taking a trip after staying inside their homes for a year.
To help people travel safely and in line with local guidelines, Google will now send you alerts regarding pandemic-related restrictions at your destination along with other handy travel tools for the COVID era.
Google launched three new features on April 28 to help those in the United States who are interested in taking a trip after more than a year of staying home now that vaccines are widely available, as per 9to5Google.
The first of these new features in regarding COVID-19 travel restrictions and advisories.
As cases in the United States slowly drop, a lot of states, counties, and cities have changed their restrictions, as well as screening regulations.
Google's new tool can come in handy in this scenario since it is difficult to keep up with the advisories. When you start planning a trip, you can enable alerts from Google about COVID restrictions and regulations at your destination, or whether you will need to quarantine upon arrival, provide a negative test, and confirm that you have been vaccinated.
The second feature Google added is a revamp of the Explore tab for its Travel site.
Instead of just showing flights, the page will now show places that you can get to both by plane and car. It is added because it is a safer method of transportation during the pandemic. You can also easily set the page to "Flights Only," though, if you would prefer to go on a longer trip.
Third, Google Maps is adding more features for road trips. From the website, you will now be able to start your starting location and destination and find different stops along the way including parks, hotels, and rest stops.
Related Article : Alexa Can Now Help People Find the Nearest COVID-19 Vaccination Site to Get a Shot
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster