Robots start patrolling streets in Qatar to avoid breaches of ban on public gatherings

Tribune News NetworkDohaQatar's Ministry of Interior has started using robots fitted with as many as eight cameras to monitor streets and public places to avoid breaches of the ban on public gatherings.The robots are known as "Al-Asas", according to a tweet on Marsal Qatar’s official handle. The robots will monitor public places across the country and help reduce person-to-person encounters between police personnel and violators.As part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, Qatar has banned all forms of public gatherings for the time being and introduced stringent penalties for violations.Assembling in public places, attending events such as weddings and majlis meetings, and participating in group prayers, even on courtyards of mosques, inside buildings or rooftops, now carry three-year jail term and QR200,000 fine.In a related development, Qatar recently began using speakers attached to drones to urge the public to stay home or exercise social distancing to contain the spread of the virus.The messages are being announced in several languages including English, Urdu, Hindi, Nepalese, Malayalam, Tamil and Sinhalese.