Decline in Mobility in November Drops Below Pre-Crisis Levels, First Time Since June
Germany's Mobility Trends in November 2021
In November 2021, mobility in Germany dropped below pre-pandemic levels, particularly in urban areas, due to renewed COVID-19 restrictions and behavioral changes linked to the pandemic situation. This decline contrasted with the previous year (November 2020), when mobility was already reduced due to initial pandemic lockdowns but was beginning to recover in some areas.
The pattern observed in 2021, with higher mobility in summer and a decline in the second half of the year, is similar to the pattern observed in 2020. Mobility was several percentage points above pre-crisis values in summer months of both 2020 and 2021. However, in November 2021, mobility in cities was nine percent lower compared to pre-crisis months in 2019, while mobility in districts was still slightly above the reference value (+2 percent) compared to November 2019.
The decline in mobility at weekends in November 2021 was four percent, while it was only one percent during the week. This indicates that people were more cautious about traveling during weekends, possibly due to leisure activities being more affected by the restrictions.
The subway was a location where people were observed in a photo from dts Nachrichtenagentur, suggesting that public transportation was still in use in November 2021.
Compared to November 2020, when mobility was already low due to the initial pandemic spread and lockdowns, the 2021 drop indicates that the fourth wave and associated measures were significant enough to stall and even reverse a trend toward greater mobility that had started earlier in 2021.
The decline in mobility in November 2021 was stronger than the decline in November 2020 (-8 percent compared to -4 percent). This suggests that the fourth wave and associated measures had a more pronounced impact on mobility compared to the initial wave and lockdowns in 2020.
In October 2021, mobility was similar to the reference month of October 2019, indicating a slight recovery from the low levels of mobility in September 2021. However, the decline in mobility in November 2021 was generally stronger compared to October 2021.
In sum, the drop in November 2021 mobility below pre-pandemic levels, especially in cities, reflects new COVID-related restrictions and a reemergence of cautious behavior among the population, differentiating it from November 2020 when the pandemic was newer and mobility was broadly suppressed but beginning to adjust.
Other science, such as social and behavioral sciences, could provide insights into why people in urban areas were more cautious about traveling during weekends in November 2021. Health-and-wellness practices, like self-care and stress management, might be more relevant during periods of increased stress due to renewed restrictions and pandemic situations.
