The Corona crisis has brought many institutions and businesses to a standstill. In order for website owners to keep their users up to date on COVID-19 measures, business hours, restrictions, etc., Google recently provided all website owners with a new markup that directly displays announcements related to COVID-19 on websites.
The markup is still in beta, however, but it serves as an optimal prep tool for companies and institutions. The kinks are still being worked out, as Google is gradually adding more options for configuration. They first announced the new markup on Twitter. Furthermore, Google Webmasters stated that structured data regarding the Corona pandemic will soon be displayed in search results.
However, the markup does not yet have any influence on the SERPs, as it is currently still in beta. Schools, health organizations, governments, etc. in particular should implement the markup. The functions of the markup range from announcements of shelter-in-place policies, closure notices, quarantine policies, and travel restrictions, to information on events taking place or their cancellation, and statistics or maps on the spread of the disease.
This feature is especially important because users rely on Google as a source of information and updates about COVID-19. Google offers a step-by-step guide to help website owners set up the markup.
