Using Nighttime Lights Data to Assess the Resumption of Religious and Socioeconomic Activities Post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted socioeconomic life globally. Nighttime-lights (NTLs) data are mainly related to anthropogenic phenomena and thus have the ability monitor changes in activity. However, overglow effect is a source of uncertainty affects applicability NTL for accurately monitoring changes. This research integrates fine bare-land-cover construct novel index named Bare Adjusted Index (BANTLI) lessen uncertainty. BANTLI was used measure post-pandemic resumption religious rituals activity Makkah Madinah at different spatial levels. results demonstrate that significantly eliminates effect. In addition, brightness recovered during periods, but it has remained below level pre-pandemic period. Moreover, not all wards rings affected equally: near city center experienced most explicit reduction compared with suburbs. Hajj pilgrimage period witnessed larger decrease than Makkah. findings indicate (i) successfully mitigates data, (ii) cultural context important understand impact COVID-19.