The University of Manchester is to carry out one of 21 new studies into the novel coronavirus funded by the UK Government.

Professor Martie van Tongeren and Dr Hua Wei will lead a £300,000 study into the role of gig workers and delivery supply chains in preventing disease transmission.

The team will be working with companies in this sector to collect data on deliveries to construct mathematical models.

The models will determine how the delivery sector contributes to minimising the risk of spreading the disease.

They will also set out the impact of additional measures to protect the workers and reduce infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study will inform the UK’s policy making in social distancing and coordination of supply chains as a key component of national response to pandemics.

This second round of projects receive £14.1 million as part of the £24.6 million rapid research response funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and by the Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Professor Martie van Tongeren said: “With surging numbers of total confirmed cases and deaths, the UK has entered the most stringent social distancing period in its history.

“Home-isolation and lockdown are necessary for preventing infectious disease transmission, with many of our basic needs provided by platform companies and delivery workers.

“So home deliveries of food, groceries and products in the UK has rocketed since the COVID19 outbreak,

“And huge spikes in demand have been reported by supermarkets, online grocers and food delivery services.”

He added: “Delivery drivers are rightly considered to be essential workers, and deserve to be protected from exposure to the virus during their work.

“We aim to work with companies in this sector to assess how this sector contributes to minimising the risk of spreading the disease and the benefits of additional measures to protect the workers.”