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R. S. Sharma et al.
amount of reduction was observed in the mid of March to the end of April duly
because of efficient enforcement of lockdown [31].
Almaty, a city in Kazakhstan and Salé city in Morocco enforced lockdown as
soon as they had the first case of COVID-19 on March 19, 2020. As they learned
the lesson from other countries that delayed implementation of lockdown can cause
severe damage to many lives. Usually the quality of air improves in Kazakhstan
after the end of February due to reduction in coal use but for this year there was
a remarkable improvement in air quality in contrast to the previous years. Here
concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 23% in 2020 in comparison to the concurrent
period in previous years, where the reduction was up to 18% only. Similarly there
was a substantial reduction in the concentration of CO and NO 2 by 49% and 35%,
respectively [26]. Likewise the concentration of PM10, NO 2 , and SO 2 decreased
by 75%, 96%, and 49% respectively, within the few days after enforcement of
COVID-19 countermeasures [46].
6.3.1.1 Comparison of Air Pollution Between Major Countries
Affected by Corona Virus
As of now the death toll due to COVID-19 reached up to 14,731,563, most countries are under complete or partial lockdown, are facing substantial arduousness in
various sectors like health care, social relationships, economical aspects, and many
more apart from the large number of deaths ascribed to the ongoing pandemic. The
countries with the most deaths include the United States of America, Brazil, India,
Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, China, etc [17]. These countries have faced a lot
of difficulties and have implemented lockdown for a long time in contrast to other
countries as some of them were not prepared for the situation beforehand and saw
early cases of COVID-19 while others saw a huge number of cases in a very short
span of time. Here we are going to give a more elaborated account of comparison on
how the implication of lockdown rejuvenated the air quality of the major countries
with most number of cases or most number of deaths [60].
The USA is the most affected country by coronavirus with 4,706,180 affected
people and 156,764 deaths. Bermen and Ebisu [5] reported that the decline in the
concentration of PM2.5 and NO 2 was observed in urban areas due to the closer of
non-essential business in the USA during COVID-19 period (Fig. 6.7).
China was the first country to have coronavirus cases and due to insufficient
preparation they experienced a huge number of cases in a short span of time in
the Hubei Province due to which they implemented lockdown to a greater extent.
During this period, China’s major industries operation level was much lower than the
normal. From last 3–5 years the production and consumption level of the energy has
decreased, while this year it came up to its lowest point. The average consumption
of coal reached its minimum in the last four years and the demand for oil reached the
minimum since autumn 2015. In addition, demand for various other products such
as petroleum products, steel, and other metals saw a sharp decline. Overall the use
of crude oil and coal reduced up to its maximum levels during the lockdown phase
R. S. Sharma et al.
amount of reduction was observed in the mid of March to the end of April duly
because of efficient enforcement of lockdown [31].
Almaty, a city in Kazakhstan and Salé city in Morocco enforced lockdown as
soon as they had the first case of COVID-19 on March 19, 2020. As they learned
the lesson from other countries that delayed implementation of lockdown can cause
severe damage to many lives. Usually the quality of air improves in Kazakhstan
after the end of February due to reduction in coal use but for this year there was
a remarkable improvement in air quality in contrast to the previous years. Here
concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 23% in 2020 in comparison to the concurrent
period in previous years, where the reduction was up to 18% only. Similarly there
was a substantial reduction in the concentration of CO and NO 2 by 49% and 35%,
respectively [26]. Likewise the concentration of PM10, NO 2 , and SO 2 decreased
by 75%, 96%, and 49% respectively, within the few days after enforcement of
COVID-19 countermeasures [46].
6.3.1.1 Comparison of Air Pollution Between Major Countries
Affected by Corona Virus
As of now the death toll due to COVID-19 reached up to 14,731,563, most countries are under complete or partial lockdown, are facing substantial arduousness in
various sectors like health care, social relationships, economical aspects, and many
more apart from the large number of deaths ascribed to the ongoing pandemic. The
countries with the most deaths include the United States of America, Brazil, India,
Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, China, etc [17]. These countries have faced a lot
of difficulties and have implemented lockdown for a long time in contrast to other
countries as some of them were not prepared for the situation beforehand and saw
early cases of COVID-19 while others saw a huge number of cases in a very short
span of time. Here we are going to give a more elaborated account of comparison on
how the implication of lockdown rejuvenated the air quality of the major countries
with most number of cases or most number of deaths [60].
The USA is the most affected country by coronavirus with 4,706,180 affected
people and 156,764 deaths. Bermen and Ebisu [5] reported that the decline in the
concentration of PM2.5 and NO 2 was observed in urban areas due to the closer of
non-essential business in the USA during COVID-19 period (Fig. 6.7).
China was the first country to have coronavirus cases and due to insufficient
preparation they experienced a huge number of cases in a short span of time in
the Hubei Province due to which they implemented lockdown to a greater extent.
During this period, China’s major industries operation level was much lower than the
normal. From last 3–5 years the production and consumption level of the energy has
decreased, while this year it came up to its lowest point. The average consumption
of coal reached its minimum in the last four years and the demand for oil reached the
minimum since autumn 2015. In addition, demand for various other products such
as petroleum products, steel, and other metals saw a sharp decline. Overall the use
of crude oil and coal reduced up to its maximum levels during the lockdown phase