Greece uses drones to monitor social distancing at beaches

As countries across Europe make clear their plans for reopening borders and easing restrictions, people are beginning to adapt to what travel and leisure are going to be like in the age of COVID-19. Greece recently announced a series of phased reopenings that aim to have hotels operational by July, and now, it has been revealed that drones are being implemented to help keep track of beachgoers in an attempt to ensure social distancing is adhered to.

According to The Guardian, Greeks enjoying the hot weather on the Athenian Riviera recently lounged at 10-metre distances from each other while overhead a drone buzzed to monitor the situation. Piloted by a town hall employee, the robotic craft broadcast a message, “we keep our distance, we respect public health”.

Municipal police and guards were also on-site to help ensure that crowds were dispersed and beachgoers were acting responsibly. With unseasonably hot weather, 515 beaches were given the go-ahead to open under strict guidelines. Beach clubs opened without alcohol, music and sports facilities while sunbeds chained to canopies were disinfected when new people came to use them.

Greece has experienced lower rates of transmission and a much lower number of deaths compared to other European countries, with experts pointing to their swift and firm lockdown measurements as a reason. Austria, France, Switzerland and Germany are amongst the latest countries to announce that they will begin easing border restrictions, with 15 June being marked as a date when nations are expected to begin allowing international tourists in.

Other destinations have been using modern technology to aid them in handling situations related to COVID19, such as Singapore, who recently implemented a robot dog to roam a park to remind the public to keep a safe distance from each other.

Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Find out how COVID-19 is changing travel.

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