Skip to main content

Google Maps adds COVID-19 warning message when searching for medical locations

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has many in a panic over what to do next and, potentially, could end up overwhelming the healthcare system. Now, Google Maps is providing a useful COVID-19 warning any time users search for medical locations.

A new warning message is appearing on medical-related searches and search listings on Google Maps. This message is brief, but encourages users who are searching for any sort of medical help to call their doctor before visiting the office if they suspect they are infected with COVID-19.

Clicking on that warning message brings users to the official CDC direction on the matter. As that website details, calling doctors before visiting an office is a precaution to “help the office protect themselves and other patients.” This makes sense, of course, as the virus is so highly infectious.

Notably, Google Maps is showing this COVID-19 on all platforms. On Android devices, it appears in search results and location listings. On iOS devices and the web, we’ve only been able to verify that the message appears within the location listing as seen below. The message shows up often for searching for doctor’s offices, but is also appearing for blood banks and other medical-related locations.

Previously, Google encouraged business owners to update their listings to note any effects of the outbreak on their business, but that does not seem related to this new message.

More on Google Maps:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Ben Schoon Ben Schoon

Ben is a Senior Editor for 9to5Google.

Find him on Twitter @NexusBen. Send tips to schoon@9to5g.com or encrypted to benschoon@protonmail.com.