Mobility and homeworking: What high-frequency indicators say #20

While Europe is experiencing a record rise in COVID cases and is becoming the centre of the epidemic again, measures to restrict movement remain limited in the major European countries. However, populations in recent weeks (we look at data for France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom) have begun to adapt their trips, albeit only marginally. In particular, homeworking is receiving renewed interest, which is not yet reflected by the reality (journeys). Journeys : Google data indicate a fall in journeys in recent weeks. However, this trend is not linked to journeys to the workplace, which have remained relatively stable since mid-September. Public transport : Data tracking train station transfers show only a slight change in recent weeks. Homeworking/propensity to stay at home : Google searches for “homeworking” have spiked, peaking in mid-September in Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, and later in France. There has been only a small rise in the propensity to stay at home.