Effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the 27 Brazilian states
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2022
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Background
Despite substantial evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions
(NPIs), there is still limited evidence on the individual effects of different types of NPIs on
social distancing, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Methods
We used panel data analysis to evaluate the effects of mandatory social distancing rules on
social distancing. We obtained data on six different categories of mandatory restrictions
implemented in Brazil, by date and state, from state government gazettes (dia´rios oficiais).
We then defined a social distancing rules index (SDI) to measure the strictness of social dis tancing rules, assigning each a value of 2, 1, or 0 depending on whether restrictions were
full, partial, or very limited/non-existent at every given time. A separate variable was defined
for masking mandates. We tested whether the following variables were associated to social
distancing: SDI, masking mandates, COVID-19 incidence, population socioeconomic sta tus, and political orientation. Data is for each day between March 11th and November 10th,
2020 in the 27 Brazilian states (N = 6615).
Findings
Social distancing increased when social distancing rules were stricter, and decreased when
the use of face masks became mandatory. The effects of different types of restrictions var ied: suspending in-person classes and gatherings, religious/sport/cultural activities had a
greater effect than other types of restrictions. Also, the effect of social distancing rules on
people’s behaviour decreased over time, especially when rules were stricter.
Interpretation
Mandatory social distancing rules must be adopted to increase social distancing. Stricter
rules have a higher impact, but result in decreased compliance over time. Policymakers
should prioritize more targeted policies.
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MORAES, Rodrigo Fracalossi de. Effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the 27 Brazilian states. PLoS One, San Francisco, v. 17, n. 3, e0265346, 2022. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265346. Disponível em: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265346. Acesso em: 2 dez. 2024.