An Iranian startup reports that the number of trips made during Norouz (Iranian New Year) holidays (March 20-April 3) observed a sharp fall compared to last year.
Neshan is a popular homegrown navigation app used by over 4 million Iranians.
The startup has released a report similar to Google Community Mobility Reports that provide insights into what has changed in response to policies aimed at combating COVID-19.
In a blogpost, Neshan explains that as Google’s reports do not cover Iran, it employed first-hand insight into local developments and released a report based on data gathered from the app’s over 4 million users.
Data released by the startup show the number of trips made during the 15-day Norouz holidays plunged by 71% compared to a year earlier. They confirm earlier reports by state entities.
Iran traffic police, for instance, have reported a noticeable decline in trips made during the holidays.
Norouz is the main extended holiday season in Iran. Schools and businesses are closed for almost two weeks and many families hit the road to meet friends and relatives.
Iran is among the countries hardest hit by the novel coronavirus. As of April 13, the viral disease had infected 73,000 people in Iran while claiming 4,585 lives.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Iranian government introduced travel curbs and encouraged people to stay at home.
Neshan has analyzed data from its over 4 million users between March 13 and April 16. The analysis indicates a sharp fall in the number of trips made during the period compared to a year earlier.
Neshan’s CEO Javad Amel says, “Google has been releasing Community Mobility Reports based on data gathered from 130 countries. Such reports help authorities implement more effective measures for curbing the COVID-19 spread.”
According to Amel, citizens can also use the information to evade crowded areas.
