An Early Analysis of Malaysian Law on Drone Operations for COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 or Coronavirus 2019 is a contagious disease that is distressing the world today. It was first detected in mid-December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei, China. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a world pandemic. A total of 36 237 403 cases have been reported to the WHO (as of October 9, 2020) involving 1 054 868 deaths from various countries. While the number of cases in Malaysia is 14 722, with 152 deaths. Various initiatives have been and are being made by the Malaysian government in addressing the crisis including the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). This paper discusses how drone technology has been used in assisting the Malaysian government to ease the burden of COVID-19 transmission. A special analysis is made to relevant Malaysian laws. The discussion begins with an explanation of the status of COVID-19 in Malaysia and some prevention methods that have been taken by the government. It then focuses on the role of drones in controlling the disease transmission. It provides some legal analysis regarding the use of drones in the context of restraining the spread of COVID-19 in the country.  Lastly, it ends with some legal implications, recommendations and improvements. The methodology used is by analysing the Malaysian Civil Aviation Regulations 2016 and references are made to relevant news. This paper accomplishes that the use of drones in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is a wise and judicious endeavour which can be further enhanced in Malaysia.