Maybe they are implementing a physical fitness program into the game. One day a week or one week a month (rng based of course) everything gets so buggy that everyone is forced to go outside and do all the chores they normally put off by sitting around playing the game.
Personally I've rebuilt the carburetor on my lawn mower, mowed what was starting to look like a hay field where my back yard is supposed to be. Swept the porch, can't recall the last time I felt a need to do that... I even pulled a few weeds that were starting to creep into the driveway unchecked. Apparently there is a whole world outside that I've been ignoring. lol