Apple Maps Urges International Travelers to Take Self-Isolation Procedures

As part of the efforts to limit the coronavirus’ spread, Apple has sent alerts to international travelers urging them to follow safety guidelines and self-isolate.

According to Twitter user Kyle Seth Gray, he received an alert from Apple Maps while in an airport urging him to stay at home, monitor his health for 14 days, and follow isolation procedures. The alert also included a link to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website provides guidance for travelers to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The guidelines include staying at home for 14 days, monitoring body temperature twice a day with a thermometer, staying two meters away from people, and avoiding public transportation.

Apple explained that the alert is sent based on geo-location data, meaning that anyone near an airport with an iPhone will receive this alert. Apple stressed that it does not spy on traveler data.

Apple has taken several steps since the beginning of the pandemic to limit the spread of the disease. Last April, Apple began displaying COVID-19 testing locations on the Apple Maps app. Apple also developed a tool based on Apple Maps that measures the commitment of people around the world to stay in their homes, as well as put restrictions on applications that publish information about COVID 19 to reduce rumors and misinformation.

Finally, Apple cooperated with Google to launch a coronavirus track-and-trace API to ensure that a sufficient safety distance was left when dealing with a patient with coronavirus.