Covid-19: Sharjah uses drones to raise awareness

Have you seen drones flying around Sharjah on Friday? They were part of a massive awareness campaign that the authorities have launched to remind the public of Covid safety measures and the need to get the jab.

Awareness messages have been broadcast over the loudspeakers mounted on drones and police patrols.

Air patrols have also been deployed to monitor compliance with precautionary measures.

Rolled out by Sharjah’s local emergency crises and disaster team — in cooperation with the General Directorate of Security Support at the Ministry of Interior — the drive covered 35 sites.In a video posted by the Sharjah Police on its social media account, aerial drones can be seen hovering over congested areas such as mosque courtyards and in industrial areas of the emirate, announcing and reminding people to stay safe by following precautions.

Messages, which were broadcast in multiple languages such as Arabic, Urdu, English, were sent out ‘before and after the Friday prayers’.

Drones are also being used in difficult-to-reach neighbourhoods and high-risk zones to see if people are respecting Covid rules.

Besides patrolling work, the air wing team completed an aerial photography task to keep track of residents’ compliance with Covid measures. Reports are submitted in real time to the Central Operations of the Sharjah Police, for follow-up and evaluation.

The campaign also urged the public to take the vaccine through the centres across the country, the team explained. Those experiencing symptomes were reminded to self-isolate.