Responding to COVID-19 with Technology Solutions: Face Mask Detection

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges not seen in the U.S., perhaps since World War 2. Here in Texas, as businesses, schools, and other organizations reopen, the problem is how to get society back to regular patterns while maintaining health and safety.

Fortunately, technology can offer solutions. While it’s safe to say that none of the technology solutions currently at our disposal are perfect, they can be a tremendous aid in getting life back to normal parameters without creating undue friction in the economy and life in general.

While wearing face masks is unpleasant for most people, we know that it can help protect against the rampant spread of the virus. One issue that has emerged is how to enforce the wearing of face masks in places where distancing is difficult - like production facilities, schools, restaurants, and many other places – without employing many people or putting others in uncomfortable positions.

Advanced video analytics, like the type that can detect faces and objects, may help. If your organization is wrestling with how to ensure face masks are being used in your facilities or premises in San Antonio, read on for mask detection solutions that may help.

SEE MORE: What to Know about Temperature Screening Cameras

Video Analytics

Avigilon is a Canadian company with its U.S. headquarters based in Dallas. The company offers a full range of sophisticated commercial surveillance solutions and has applied its considerable skills in video analytics to COVID-19 response solutions.

One of those solutions offers the ability to detect compliance at scale with the wearing of face masks. Based on the company’s H4A and H5A advanced surveillance cameras, it employs facial recognition algorithms to identify a covered face accurately. The video analytics have the power to detect multiple objects in a view, so it's a solution with the capacity to scale.

Avigilon’s Appearance Search technology can help determine where a person appears in other areas, for example, to track violators of face mask policy and trace what other areas they have visited within your facilities. For optimal results, cameras should be no more than 10 feet away from people and tilted up to 30 degrees from horizontal. A typical placement would be around an access controlled entrance to a building or area.

Reporting and Information for Action

As the fight against the virus continues, more rules and regulations may be put in place to ensure compliance with guidelines. Even in the absence of clear laws or regulations, liability issues may require forced compliance in many places and organizations. Face mask detection technology can automate and monitor violations and provide valuable tracing information should outbreaks occur. Reporting can also help determine levels of compliance with the use of face masks and assist in deciding what rules and education need to be implemented.

If you are enforcing absolute use of face masks for entry into a location, the technology can help single out violators so you can issue masks or deny entry to a violator. Used in the right ways, face mask detection could be another valuable tool in curbing the spread of the virus and protecting at-risk populations.

ASAP Security Services has vast experience across Texas with sophisticated security and surveillance systems in both the public and commercial sectors. We are uniquely qualified to install and integrate the best, most scalable solutions for combating the challenges of COVID-19. To learn more, set up a consultation with our team by calling (877) 418-ASAP, filling out our contact form, or starting a live chat with us below. We look forward to working with you!