This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
As COVID-19 cases continue to soar in Kenya, a new report has revealed a glimmer of hope: more people are returning to work.
According to Google's latest weekly COVID-19 Community Mobility Report, released on May 4, 2020, there has been a 16% increase in people accessing their places of work in the last seven days.
Although the rate of people going to work is still below the normal baseline, the report shows that from April 26, the rate has been slowly increasing towards the baseline, meaning more people are leaving their homes for their workstations.
The current rate is at 19% below the normal baseline, significantly higher than the rate one month ago, which stood at 50% below the baseline.
Google Kenya's statement notes that this has led to a reduction in movement in residential areas to 20% from 25%.
A spot check by the Nation shows that there has been an increased inflow of people in Nairobi city centre, with increased traffic jams. Similarly, places such as banks and business stalls have had an increase in human traffic.
One contributing factor could be the April 27 government directive allowing restaurants to operate between 5am and 4pm.
However, the Community Mobility Report reveals that people are still avoiding crowded places such as restaurants and markets.
Recreational areas such as restaurants, shopping centres, and movie theatres have recorded a five percent reduction in movement, according to Google Kenya's statement.
