Spatial-temporal variations in community mobility during lockdown, unlock, and the second wave of COVID-19 in India: A data-based analysis using Google's community mobility reports.

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has been altering all aspects of societal life including community mobility since December 2019. This study analyzes the spatial-temporal variations in human mobility patterns as the influence of COVID-19 during different periods at the state and union territory (UT) levels in India. From the spatial and temporal perspective, we find that change of mobility patterns and variations within states and UTs. The residential mobility has been increased because the mobility towards the home increased during the lockdown and the second wave but during the unlocking period reduced to some extent. There have spatial variations in mobility towards different places within states and UTs during the lockdown and second wave (lockdown to partial lockdown) but overall mobility towards different places like retail, parks, workplace, and transit stations have been reduced in India. During unlocking, mobility has been reduced all over the states and UTs in India but there have spatial-temporal variations within.