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Are Stringent Containment and Closure Policies Associated with a Lower COVID-19 Spread Rate? Global Evidence

Author

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  • Zongfeng Xiu

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Pengshuo Feng

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Jingwei Yin

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Yingjun Zhu

    (School of Accounting, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, Shanghai 201209, China)

Abstract

Stringent government policies, in general, and strict containment and closure policies in particular including workplace closing, restrictions on gatherings, close of public transport, stay-at-home order, restrictions on internal movement, and international travel control are associated with a lower spread rate of COVID-19 cases. On the other hand, school closures and public event cancellations have not been found to be associated with lower COVID-19 spread. Restrictions on international travel and the closing of public transport are two policies that stand out and have a consistent and slowing effect on the spread of COVID-19. The slowing effect of the containment and closure policies on the spread of COVID-19 becomes stronger one week after the policies have been implemented, consistent with the SARS-CoV-2 transmission pattern and the incubation period evolution. Furthermore, the slowing effect becomes stronger for culturally tight countries and countries with a higher population density. Our findings have important policy implications, implying that governments need to carefully implement containment and closure policies in their own countries’ social and cultural contexts, with an emphasis on the ideas of the common interest, personal responsibility, and the sense of community.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongfeng Xiu & Pengshuo Feng & Jingwei Yin & Yingjun Zhu, 2022. "Are Stringent Containment and Closure Policies Associated with a Lower COVID-19 Spread Rate? Global Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1725-:d:741000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abel Brodeur & Idaliya Grigoryeva & Lamis Kattan, 2021. "Stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and trust," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(4), pages 1321-1354, October.
    2. Shima Hamidi & Sadegh Sabouri & Reid Ewing, 2020. "Does Density Aggravate the COVID-19 Pandemic?," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(4), pages 495-509, October.
    3. Damon Centola, 2020. "Considering network interventions," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(52), pages 32833-32835, December.
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    1. Mingolla, Stefano & Lu, Zhongming, 2022. "Impact of implementation timing on the effectiveness of stay-at-home requirement under the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from the Italian Case," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(6), pages 504-511.

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