The Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) has installed two drones to various towns and villages to disseminate COVID-19 information and warn people to stay at home. The targeted sites would be decided upon by police and the head of the Tzaneen coronavirus emergency team.
According to Neville Ndlala, GTM spokesperson, “We fly drones that have loudspeakers attached. They would be used to monitor hot spots during the lockdown”. The drones can broadcast messages of social distancing, staying at home and the regular washing of hands as per the state of disaster. District Mayor, Maripe Mangena recorded the message in the most commonly used languages.
“Drones are a highly effective way of delivering the message to the people of Tzaneen and the surrounding areas,” “The teams are highly mobile and it takes a few minutes to set up and start broadcasting. All drone safety measures will be put in place, including blocking off the launching area. First-aid measures are put in place and fire extinguishers are placed within the required distance from the pilots,” said Diderick Harkema, Licensed Drone Pilot.
