Thread by @DrKAinslie

Our new preprint shows there was a rapid and synchronised reduction in UK mobility just before and after the announcement of lockdown on 23 March. It's now live on @WellcomeOpenRes
wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/5-170…
@SRileyIDD @DrCWalters (1/6)

We used data from @Facebook and a UK mobile phone provider and found synchronised mobility patterns all across the UK (regardless of data source or geographic region). The largest reduction in mobility occurred around the time of the announcement of lockdown. (2/6)

Although mobility remained low since 26 March, we detected a gradual increase in mobility throughout the lockdown period. (3/6)

We observed slightly larger reductions in average mobility and greater variation in mobility in high-density areas compared to low-density areas: some high-density areas eliminated almost all mobility. Range of journey distance was greater in the lowest density populations.(4/6)

Limitations:
- Data were only reported for locations with sufficient coverage (approximately 90%) of UK LADs
- It is difficult to assess how representative our data are of the wider population.
- The data may not always capture the true changes in social contact behaviour. (5/6)

These analyses form a baseline from which to observe changes in behaviour in the UK as social distancing is eased and inform policy towards the future control of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK. (6/6)