Post COVID-19 Personal Distancing and Personal Space: Analysis of Behavioural Changes and Spatial Characteristics

ABSTRACT

After the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic and its massive global spread as a pandemic, most countries used personal distancing as one of the most effective ways to limit public interaction and consequently minimize further spread of the pandemic. Since personal distancing is a manifestation of personal space, this study reviews the personal space concept and how relevant spatial behavior changed during COVID-19, using qualitative approach. Numerous behavioral changes were developed, most remarkably is the increased size of the personal space and the use of body language to maintain it in addition to wearing a facial mask and gloves became a mechanism to preserve one's personal space. Accordingly, hiding one's identity by wearing a mask functioned as a mechanism to maintain an individual's personal space, contrary to the commonly held view that personal space is a mechanism to achieve privacy. The study observed that salient patterns of human daily behavior during COVID-19, and found that there are three types of changes 1) personal, 2) environmental of spatial, and 3) interactive between humans and their surrounding environment. The study concludes by analyzing the changes of users' behavior pertinent to personal space in mosques, shopping centers, restaurants and coffee shops. It also looks into doors, elevators, chairs and sitting areas and waiting lines. Moreover, it gives short-term emergency recommendations and guidelines to improve building design and operation.