Monsoon Impact on the Air Quality During SAR-CoV-2 Pandemic Spread in Central Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah: Pre, During and Post Lockdown Scenarios

Malaysia is considered as one of the countries with highest novel corona virus (COVID-19) infected cases in Southeast Asia. Recent studies have identified that air quality a region also governs transmission through pollutants. Hence, study was conducted to assess influence on COVID-19 pandemic spread central Peninsular and Sabah. An attempt made infer effect monsoonal precipitation quality. Central consists major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor Putrajaya. These are highly populated, expansion industrial activities, rapid urbanisation greater usage vehicles has resulted deterioration. Such conditions led related public health issues, compared Sabah east Malaysia. In this study, cases, index (AQI) data were collected from 25 January August 2020 relationship before, during after implementation lockdown periods country, referred movement control order (MCO). The fall under various monsoon climate patterns country. Interpretation reveals variation correlates cases. Improved observed last phase MCO lesser number HYSPLIT model adopted backward mass trajectories for different time frames identify sources pollutants reaching area. determined reached area directions, reflecting mixed contribution ocean land between high (during inter-monsoon SW monsoon) improved washout outcome inferred rates facilitate addition other meteorological factors, apart individual immune capacity social distancing.