In response to the novel coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) and government’s disaster management framework, Step Above (Pty) Ltd. has stepped forward to assist where possible. To leverage off drone technology during this national lockdown, Step Above has created a suite of products to aid the public and private sector during this time.

Step Above provides air-to-ground videography and analytics services, within the legal framework (ROC) of the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Step Above is a diverse home to seasoned talent. Fortified through sector expertise, Step Above's pilots are each industry-leaders, pushing the boundaries of what can be done with drone works and intelligently processing the data.

“Step Above drones can function as an early warning system and visual aid in surveillance intervention efforts to speak to strategic response teams for the delegation of ground works.”

Our surveillance intervention efforts speak to strategic response teams and delegation of ground works. We would like to offer the public sector x5 Pro Bono days of drone flight visits in the communities to be covered by disaster teams working on the ground.

Pre-site visit:

- 1km radius view of the densely populated township for planning action/tracing.

• This will reduce the number and direction of tracers deployed

Site visit:

- Point of interest (POI) aerial view of the teams’ actions and live reactions

• Onsite coordinators can change actions to accommodate actual activity

Post visit:

- Scan of the areas being engaged to measure the effect or response within the community

• Communities can be monitored for their change in activities

Hand-over:

- We will supply the raw footage at the hand-over station(s) requested

• Footage can also streamed remotely and recorded for further feedback

Step Above stands out as a knowledge company representing youth that are mainly stationed in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and we can organize drone (UAV) applications to reach further into the regions if responses to urgent public and private sector intervention efforts are needed.

“To keep health workers safe and secure, Step Above drones can be deployed prior to a site visit to a point of interest (POI) in assisting teams to coordinate their efforts and limited resources.”

As nations go into lockdown globally, we see the use of drones extending the eyes and strategic capabilities of health workers and protection services on the ground. Drones like face masks can maintain distances while providing meaningful impacts. Drones are already being implemented around the world to face this challenge:

- Police in Srinagar, India are informing the general public using speaker-mounted drones

- In Australia, researchers are developing a pandemic-drone capable of detecting and remotely using thermal monitoring of COVID-19 hotspots.

- Over the past few months, the Chinese government has adapted agricultural drones to spray disinfecting chemicals.

South Africa’s battle to recovery will extend long past our current 21 day lockdown. As the novel coronavirus spreads, decisions being made by our government, political and economic, must be intended to prepare for and action our recovery. It is now very clear that no one is immune.

So, we are hopeful that the response from government will be an inclusive attempt to attack the disease head-on with the help of Step Above and other private sector contributors who have their hands up.