Video management systems today play an even more important role in the resumption of work activities within companies.
By Juan Carlos George*
Technology has become an ally to help protect people in the return to the new normal. Video surveillance systems stand out in this struggle to resume daily activities with devices and software specialized in:
• Temperature detection
• Contactless access control
• Tracking technologies
While in some countries there are signs that the numbers could begin to stabilize, COVID-19 cases increased sharply in Latin America.
Brazil has recorded more than 4.3 million confirmed cases, the third-highest count in the world after the United States and India. Likewise, it is the second country, behind the SAME USA, in number of deaths.
Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru have also had major outbreaks and are among the ten countries with the most confirmed cases.
However, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported on September 2 that it was beginning to notice a downward trend in the number of new cases reported in Central America, with the exception of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
All this has led countries to rethink a gradual opening of local businesses, religious cults, outdoor activities and, in some cases, commercial flights.
As states allow phased reopening and employees return to work, companies face new challenges beyond safety to protect workers from what many have called "an invisible enemy."
With a video management system (VMS), employers have the possibility to create a solution within the framework of their existing security facility. An open platform enables the integration of apps and devices with video management to implement features such as temperature detection, social distancing and contactless access control, and people counting.
Thermal imaging cameras integrated into the VMS enable temperature detection
One of the protocols adopted in the countries of the region to resume normal activities with safety standards has been temperature detection. In this case, a control point is required at the entrance of commercial establishments, where the verification of the correct use of the mask and the completion of the procedure of disinfection of hands and shoes is also carried out.
And although no thermal imaging camera can detect the coronavirus, it does allow to establish an elevated body temperature, which provides information to the video management software to execute the analyzes and the corresponding biosecurity protocols.
Non-contact infrared thermometers also monitor an individual for possible elevated skin temperatures, even when they do not reflect an exact body temperature.
When detection occurs through a device, verification is needed. No solutions have been created in the physical security industry for this. The recommended process is to refer the person for a standard medical evaluation.
A process adapted for each company must be built. This in order to ensure the identification of people at risk, and that those inside the facility remain safe.
Social distancing to prevent possible infections
Among the reopening conditions proposed in several countries in the region is the physical distancing of two meters between people. This is the case of establishments such as restaurants, and the respective distribution of tables, chairs, bars and common areas with their corresponding signage. This guarantees the minimum separation indicated and the control of the flow of people.
Through video analytics, businesses can use detection and counting technologies such as people and crowd counting to maintain social distancing requirements. When taking advantage of new social distancing technologies, companies must set specific parameters in their VMS trigger alarms.
To meet the new occupancy requirements, people with analytics would create real-time alerts about how many people are inside a building and create notifications for customers, visitors, and managers. They function as alerts so that crowds do not form.
Contactless access control
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the primary mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close person-to-person contact.
However, it is possible for a citizen to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, as well as their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
To avoid this situation, companies would use video surveillance technology to reduce physical contact with devices and surfaces, including door handles and card and fingerprint readers.
Organizations have the possibility to combine their video surveillance and access systems to implement contactless access control solutions.
The integration of these allows operators to manage access to their facilities based on historical statistics or real-time information produced; not only for traditional access controls, but also for video analysis, such as people counting and social distancing, among others.
Using real-time crowd or occupancy data, operators can remotely close or open doors, entrance turnstiles or road barriers. To safely monitor buildings or locations, robots and drones equipped with input and output devices make it possible to provide live video and two-way audio, feeding back into the video management platform, and also for analytical processing.
When access is granted, electronic motorized door opening systems are ideal non-contact tools. However, other good options include QR code scanning devices via mobile phone or simply using the video management mobile app to open doors via wireless technologies.
All of these aforementioned technologies can be linked to the VMS system of current companies and thus avoid the rapid spread of COVID-19. However, they also serve to continue advancing in the protection and security of users in the future.
* Juan Carlos George, Sales Manager for Latin America at Milestone Systems
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