Insights into the Mobility Pattern of Australians during COVID-19

Hafiz Suliman Munawar, Sara Imran Khan, Zakria Qadir, Yusra Sajid Kiani, Abbas Z. Kouzani and M. A. Parvez Mahmud
Additional contact information
Hafiz Suliman Munawar: School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Sara Imran Khan: Faculty of Chemical Energy, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Zakria Qadir: School of Computing Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Yusra Sajid Kiani: Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Abbas Z. Kouzani: School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
M. A. Parvez Mahmud: School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease characterised by symptoms that are like the common cold. The current pandemic situation in anticipation of a vaccine has posed serious threats to the health and economic sectors of countries worldwide. To overcome the quick transmission of the virus, the government of Australia has also taken drastic measures to prevent its spread. These policies include an international and interstate travel ban, social distancing rules, lockdown, shutdown of educational institutes and work-from-home policies. Such rules have affected people on both behavioural and psychological levels. This study aims to analyse the effect of COVID-19 on Australian citizens, and therefore, the changed behaviour of citizens concerning their mobility patterns, transport preferences and shopping methods under the pandemic have been studied. A detailed literature search was adopted for gathering data related to the study theme, along with real-time evidence of changes in the behaviour of people following the pandemic. The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on social inequality and thereby the effect on the vulnerable people of the population are also studied. Authentic surveys and statistical data are consulted to figure out how the new lifestyle choices of people will linger in the post-pandemic era. It was found that people in Australia have adopted the work-from-home regime, and new habits suiting the nationwide restrictions have become routine for many people.

Keywords: COVID 19; Australia; work from home; public transport; travel; economics; unemployment; shopping pattern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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