An Investigation on Epidemic Logistical Response and Planning: The Case of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Effective mitigation to the impacts of sudden, large-scale epidemic outbreak, such as COVID-19, is a key issue as it poses substantial impacts on human lives. Numerous urban, economic, and social activities involves logistics, meaning that effective epidemic logistical planning is essential for prosperity. There is scarcity of knowledge on how the logistical system can adapt to large-scale epidemic outbreak, notably Covid-19. There is an urgent need to investigate the manner  epidemic logistical planning approach can be executed effectively. Hence, by focusing on covid-19, the goal of this project is to develop effective logistical strategies and solutions against sudden large-scale epidemic outbreak. The key objectives of the project are therefore: 1) to investigate how individuals and societies with different characteristics (e.g. age, locations, jobs) perceive and react to logistical strategy in tackling COVID-19, 2) to identify attributes that can catalyze information sharing and coordination between cities and countries in epidemic logistical planning, 3) to identify ways that can facilitate the transfer of strategies and solutions to cities and countries under diversified geographical and cultural contexts, especially those with relatively weak health systems, 4) to investigate how governments plan and respond to the different logistical needs of society in the outburst of a sudden, large-scale epidemic at different stages; and 5) to develop strategies, solutions, and a supporting framework for governments and societies to mitigate the rapid spread of COVID-19 in terms of logistical service control, especially for vulnerable groups and areas.