Tech giants have been constantly providing information from health authorities regarding ways to help curb the spread of COVID-19 as well as reminders to practice the minimum health standards amid the pandemic. Google, for example, has already been working with local publishers to highlight COVID-19 updates in its News app and Google Maps added a new feature last month meant to help users avoid crowded areas.
Now, Google is rolling out a new feature in Maps that gives some health safety tips to users when they go out to public places (via 9to5Google). The feature reminds people to wear a mask outside their homes, especially in public hubs where the chance of contracting or transmitting the virus is high. It's found within the Explore tab, where a banner tells users: "Wear a mask. Save lives." Under that banner, there's a small button that links to Google's coronavirus website, providing more information about COVID-19.
The reminder is displayed at the top of the recommended places in the Explore section of Maps, where users normally find nearby restaurants, hotels, and other popular destinations. It also shows up before a user leaves his or her home, which is a nifty feature if you keep forgetting to wear a mask before stepping out of your door.
Currently, the feature seems to be live only for users in the U.S. There's no official word whether this will be rolled out widely. Also, the reminder appears to be available only on Android for now.
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