France Uses Drones to Enforce Coronavirus Restrictions

France is using drones to battle the coronavirus by using the drones as a tool to remind people of the restrictions on movements currently in place. Drones will be used to help keep people confined, in particular to keep an eye on the banks of the Seine river.

Drones have become an every increasing tool for law enforcement and firefighters as the drones become cheaper and easier to use. The range of cameras, sensors, and even megaphones available as payloads can expand the reach of a limited police force or emergency services team.

France has been in lockdown since Tuesday: only allowing trips to the supermarket, doctors visits, walking the dog, or things such as a solitary exercise run.  Aside from these limited activities, residents are expected to stay in their homes.  No groups of people are allowed and workers are required to stay at home if their employer allows them to work at home.

People who venture outside are required to print out and fill in a government form and are subject to a 135 Euro fine if they can not show one to police. Although a full curfew has not been imposed, the government has deployed 100,000 police to monitor people’s movements and make sure people who are outside keep their distance.  Police forces are using drones to fly over public spaces and identify residents not adhering to the regulations.

Currently (and the numbers change constantly) according to the website worldometers there are more than 16,018,  people infected with the coronavirus in France, resulting in over 674 deaths.  The French government’s scientific council will on Monday make an announcement on the length and extent of the emergency measures, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran.