More Fifers headed to parks before lockdown restrictions eased

Fifers were heading to parks more before the UK government considered easing its lockdown, figures from Google suggest.

The tech giant's latest weekly report shows people across the UK were venturing out to parks, beaches and other public areas much more – with footfall around a quarter higher than normal levels.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in the home, retail and recreation establishments, grocery stores and pharmacies, public transport hubs, workplaces, and parks and green spaces.

The weekly report shows an increase in activity within Fife's parks during the week to May 9, compared to the week before – suggesting people are hanging out in public green spaces more regularly, or for longer periods of time.

Over the seven days, time spent in parks was nine per cent higher than during a five-week baseline period at the start of the year.

The week before, it had been 11 per cent lower than usual levels.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/ian-rankin-launches-new-rebus-lockdown-drama-online-2860744

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In the first report, which covered the week to March 29 when the lockdown came into effect, park activity was down 26 per cent.

The data suggests that the population in Fife are staying away from green spaces less successfully than in other locations across the UK. Nationally, people were spending four per cent more time than usual in parks last week.

Last week, the UK Government relaxed its lockdown advice in England, changing its messaging to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives" – though Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland kept the original "stay at home" messaging.

In other locations in Fife:

Visits to public transport hubs were 47 per cent down on usual levels

Shopping centres and food outlets saw 68 per cent less traffic than normal

Workplaces were 58 per cent quieter than usual

Food shops and pharmacies saw 19 per cent less traffic

People spent 20 per cent more time at home than usual

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