Google LLC is upgrading the iOS and Android versions of Google Maps with new features that show users if travel routes they plan to use may be affected by coronavirus-related government restrictions.

The update started rolling out Monday in a select number of countries, including the U.S.

The first set of new features focuses on users who use Google Maps to find public transport. Google is adding alerts to the app interface that show information about transit changes, such as if train passengers are required to wear a mask or if a bus line is suspended due to government travel restrictions. In some areas, the app will also start displaying the times when a transit station is more crowded or less crowded.

“Rolling out over the next several weeks, these capabilities are powered by aggregated and anonymized data from users who have opted in to Google Location History, a Google account-level setting that is off by default,” Ramesh Nagarajan, the product management director for Google Maps, wrote in a blog post. “To protect privacy, these insights are only surfaced when we have sufficient data to meet privacy thresholds.”

Google Maps will also display information on travel restrictions for drivers. Users employing the app to plan a car trip will see an alert if there are checkpoints or other restrictions affecting the route they specify in the app. In case their route crosses a national border, they will also see a panel informing them that they should check if there are any COVID-19 border restrictions.

Lastly, Google is looking to make it easier to plan trips to medical facilities and COVID-19 testing centers. Starting this week, the app interface will show users eligibility and facility guidelines to help them avoid being turned away.

Most of the new features are currently live in the U.S. or will be soon, while international availability is limited to a handful of countries and the number of available features varies by location. Google plans to roll out the enhancements to more countries over time.

Photo: Google