Social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic

This article is a summary of the social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Social distancing, or physical distancing, is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures taken to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by maintaining a physical distance between people and reducing the number of times people come into close contact with each other. It involves keeping a distance of six feet or two meters from others and avoiding gathering together in large groups.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and related measures were emphasised by several governments as alternatives to an enforced quarantine of heavily affected areas. According to UNESCO monitoring, more than a hundred countries have implemented nationwide school closures in response to COVID-19, impacting over half the world's student population. In the United Kingdom, the government advised the public to avoid public spaces, and cinemas and theatres voluntarily closed to encourage the government's message.

With many people disbelieving that COVID-19 is any worse than the seasonal flu, it has been difficult to convince the public—especially teens and young adults—to voluntarily adopt social distancing practices. In Belgium, media reported a rave was attended by at least 300 before it was broken up by local authorities. In France, teens making nonessential trips are fined up to US$150. Beaches were closed in Florida and Alabama to disperse partygoers during spring break. Weddings were broken up in New Jersey and an 8 p.m. curfew was imposed in Newark. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania were the first states to adopt coordinated social distancing policies which closed down non-essential businesses and restricted large gatherings. Shelter in place orders in California were extended to the entire state on 19 March. On the same day Texas declared a public disaster and imposed statewide restrictions.

These preventive measures such as social-distancing and self-isolation prompted the widespread closure of primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in more than 120 countries. As of 23 March 2020, more than 1.2 billion learners were out of school due to school closures in response to COVID-19. Given low rates of COVID-19 symptoms among children, the effectiveness of school closures has been called into question. Even when school closures are temporary, it carries high social and economic costs. However, the significance of children in spreading COVID-19 is unclear. While the full impact of school closures during the coronavirus pandemic are not yet known, UNESCO advises that school closures have negative impacts on local economies and on learning outcomes for students.

In early March 2020, the sentiment "Stay The Fuck Home" was coined by Florian Reifschneider, a German engineer and was quickly echoed by notable celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Busy Philipps in hopes of reducing and delaying the peak of the outbreak. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram also joined the campaign with similar hashtags, stickers and filters under #staythefhome, #stayhome, #staythefuckhome and began trending across social media. The website claims to have reached about two million people online and says the text has been translated into 17 languages.

Chronology

Date	Measures
24 March 2020	All entertainment venues closed. Gatherings of more than 10 people banned outside of school and work.
7 April 2020	Stay-at-home order. Non-essential workplaces closed, schools transitioned to distance learning, recreational venues, attractions and places of worship closed. Food and beverage outlets limited to takeaway, drive-thru and delivery only.
21 April 2020	Introduced controlled access at areas susceptible to crowding, more non-essential workplaces closed (standalone F&B outlets that only sell beverages, packaged snacks, confectioneries, and desserts, as well as hairdressers and barbers)
12 May 2020	Some shops reopen in preparation for relaxation of measures.
1 June 2020	Phase 1 opening. Gatherings are only allowed up to 5 in social side (Family members only).
17 July 2020	Phase 2 opening. Gatherings are allowed up to 5 in social side (non-family members).
28 December 2020	Phase 3 opening. Gatherings are allowed up to 8-9 in social side.

By country

Australia

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists from 19 March 2020.

Bangladesh

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from Bangladesh to Singapore, were reduced since March 2020.

Brazil

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists.

China

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Foreign nationals can travel to China, if they meet one of the following requirements: holding a valid Chinese residence permit for work, personal matters or reunion, holding Diplomatic, Service or Courtesy visa issued after 7 May 2020. All travelers must present two negative tests - PCR and antibody tests, taken within 48 hours of travel.
Community cases	Shut down of public transport from 23 January to 8 April in Wuhan.
	Travel from and to Wuhan were being suspended from 23 January to 8 April.
	Mandatory mask wearing and social distancing in China, after lockdown.

France

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases
Community cases	Mask wearing compulsory in all public places.

Germany

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closure of Tegel Airport on 6 November 2020.
Community cases	Closure of U55 (Berlin) from 17 March 2020 to 4 December 2020.
	Mask wearing compulsory in all public places.

Hong Kong

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closure of Lo Wu Control Point, Hong Kong HSR Control Point, Lok Ma Chau Control Point, Man Kam To Control Point, Sha Tau Kok Control Point and Ta Kwu Ling Control Point from 2 February 2020. Shenzhen Bay Port remains open for essential goods only.
	All citizens are prohibited from leaving the country whereas all foreigners are prohibited from entering the country.
	Closure of Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2 for renovation and upgrading works from November 2019 to 2023.
Community cases	Closure of tourist attractions and non-essential services such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, Ocean Park and AsiaWorld-Expo.
	Mask wearing compulsory from 1 July 2020 instead of only being used due to Hong Kong protests.

India

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from India to Singapore, were reduced since March 2020.
	Borders were closed for air travel.

Indonesia

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from Jakarta to Singapore, will be diverted to Johor Bahru. In addition, all boats from Batam to Singapore are terminated.
	All other flights from Indonesia to Singapore, are terminated.

Ireland

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closure of Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, Shannon Airport and Kerry Airport on Christmas Day
Community cases	Closure of Irish Rail, Luas and Dublin Bus on Christmas Day
	Closure of Irish Rail and Luas on Boxing Day

Japan

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Japan closed its borders to all non-residents. Additionally, foreign spectators are not permitted to enter Japan during the Olympics.
Community cases	Closure of tourist attractions and non-essential services from 26 March 2020.
	From 11 April 2020, masks were made mandatory at public transport and all public places.
	All spectators are banned from entering the Olympics.

Macau

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All foreigners are prohibited from entering the country.

Malaysia

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	From 18 March 2020, all citizens have been prohibited from leaving the country with foreigners also prohibited from entering the country.
	Operating hours for Second Link Checkpoint were reduced from 6am to 12am daily for essential goods.
	Closure of Johor Bahru Station for Singapore Overground, and Crossrail West to be broken into Senai North - Tanjung Kupang and Wrexham - Ion Khatib.
Community cases	Lockdown from 17 March 2020 to 3 May 2020, all non-essential services are closed. This is due to the Tabligh mosque having much cases.
	It was replaced by Conditional Movement Control Order from 4 May 2020 to 9 June 2020, then Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) to 31 August 2020, later was extended to 31 December 2020 (Phase 2) and 31 March 2021 (Phase 3).
	Malaysia also went into second lockdown from 11 January 2021 to 18 February 2021.
	Malaysia also went into third lockdown from 8 May 2021.
	Mask wearing compulsory from 15 August 2020.
	Transiting schools to home-based learning for all states.
	Mandating all offices to work from home.
	Social gatherings were up to 5 in CMCO and 8 in RMCO areas. During MCO, social gatherings were allowed with up to 2 people.

Myanmar

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists.

Nepal

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from Nepal to Singapore, were reduced since March 2020.

New Zealand

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists from 19 March 2020.

North Korea

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists on 21 January 2020, one of the first countries to do so. Chinese visitors make up the bulk of foreign tourists to North Korea.

Pakistan

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from Pakistan to Singapore, were reduced since March 2020.

Philippines

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all non-residents from 15 March 2020.

Singapore

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Stay-Home Notice (SHN) for all Singaporeans and permanent residents from all countries, through hotels or at the housing estate since 21 March 2020.
	Travellers are barred from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Philippines and South Korea.
	Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Malaysia, travellers are required to serve 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities since 15 November 2020.
	Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in South Korea, travellers are required to serve 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities since 19 December 2020.
	From 29 April 2021, travellers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are required to serve 21-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities. All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, including foreign permits are not allowed to enter Singapore.
	Closure of Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, including the change of the duty-free shop from DFS Galleria to Lotte Duty Free on 1 September 2020. It has closed all DFS Galleria stores on March 2020.
	From 4 May 2021, travellers from Thailand are required to serve 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities following the resurgence of cases there.
	From 7 May 2021, the planned air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong is postponed.
	From 16 May 2021, travellers from Malaysia are required to serve 21-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities, an increase from 14 days. All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, including foreign permits are not allowed to enter Singapore.
	From 16 May 2021, travellers from Indonesia are required to serve 21-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities, an increase from 14 days. All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, including foreign permits are not allowed to enter Singapore.
	Closure of Tuas Checkpoint and Woodlands Checkpoint, and suspension of cross-border services.
	As social distancing is not possible in the air travel, all customers must wear mask, overnight flights (with avoid talking to one another or yourself), airplane mode for handphones, and airline-dedicated contact tracing app will also be more practical. Even Singapore Government has been monitoring which countries are safe for travel, not just talking about domestic areas of responsibility.
Community cases	Closure of non-essential services on Chinese New Year Eve starting from 4pm and on the Chinese New Year first day, except services that are required to support daily needs will remain open.
	Early closure of nightclubs, karaoke outlets, pubs and bars from 10.30pm.
	Cancellation of large gatherings in Chinese New Year.
	No extension of operating hours for MRT on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve.
	No Night MRT.
	Mask wearing compulsory for some places such as cinemas, theatres, libraries, shopping malls, lift lobbies and public transport, which also includes all public places from 14 April 2020.
	Social distancing has been placed at various places such as common corridors in HDB estates since 2011, because of someone accusation of "molestation" and has been sent to the police. Police officers have arrived at the scene, before Timothy Mok had went to Bedok Police Division.
	Social distancing has been placed at workplaces as well. Capacity is cut to 50% and cross tapes were used, because one of the time I sat on the girls' lap and can get injury, before I was suspended on 15 July 2019.
	Restaurant capacity is cut into half for all restaurants.
	Sharing of drinks is not permitted between colleagues or strangers.
	Social distancing for several places such as bus services
	Social distancing on public transport, in bus interchanges, buses, bus stops, MRT stations and MRT trains. Land Transport Authority (LTA) transport ambassadors (majority are Singapore Airlines crew) and Ministry of Transport officers are enforcing this. In addition, Transcom officers together with security officers will be on hand to station the mask wearing enforcement at all MRT stations. Certis CISCO auxiliary police officers will be on hand to ensure people comply with social distancing.
	Social distancing in hawker centres and wet markets. Everyone must sit at their own tables, and 1m away from the stranger. National Environment Agency (NEA) and SG Clean Ambassadors are there to observe this.
	Housing and Development Board (HDB) and People's Association officers will be walking around various HDB blocks as town council ambassadors to observe social distancing in HDB estates, together with BCA officers will be walking around condominiums to observe social distancing. URA officers will also be around to walk around various public places.
	Council for Estate Agencies officers will be stationed at all property showrooms to remind about social distancing.
	Full-day bus lanes were set up at Bugis Junction entrance from the MRT, Bugis Junction entrance from Victoria Street, Takashimaya entrance (Basement 2), Tampines 1 main entrance and Tampines Mall main entrance. Normal bus lanes were put up at Daiso IMM Building, Daiso Tampines 1, Tampines 1 Saizeriya and Century Square Ichiban Boshi.
	Switch over to Home-Based Learning (HBL) on 8 April 2020, and reverts back on 2 June 2020.
	Job interviews were switched to virtual interview through using Zoom, WhatsApp video call or Microsoft Teams.
	Mandatory work from home beginning 7 April 2020, with some relaxations in between.
	Full conversion to TraceTogether-only SafeEntry on 13 May 2021.
	Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers and Ministry of Health (MOH) officers will be walking around to ensure enforcement, with summons letter to be given for those who break COVID-19 rules, together with Singapore Police Force.
	National Parks Board (NParks) officers will be stationed at various parks to remind about social distancing, together with Public Utilities Board (PUB).
	Social distancing at hospitals in Institute of Mental Health and polyclinics. Ban of people from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) cluster to enter various places.
	Vaccinated people can be excused from the pre-event testing.
	Restriction of gatherings of up to 5 from 2 June 2020 until 27 December 2020, up to 8-9 from 28 December 2020 until 13 April 2021, then after that rule of 5 from 14 April 2021 to 15 May 2021, and then up to rule of 2 from 16 May 2021.

Russia

Reduction of	Closures
Community cases	Non-essential services were closed from 2 March 2020 to 3 August 2020.

South Korea

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closed its borders to all international tourists from 15 March 2020.

Sri Lanka

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All flights from Sri Lanka to Singapore, were reduced since March 2020.

Taiwan

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Taiwan closed the borders to all non-residents.
Community cases	Masks were made mandatory at public transport.

Thailand

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	All foreigners are prohibited from entering the country and all citizens are not allowed to leave the country.

United Kingdom

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	Closure of Heathrow Terminal 3 and Heathrow Terminal 4.
Community cases	Closure of Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, London Trams, London Underground, London Buses, Emirates Air Line, National Rail and TfL Rail on Christmas Day
	Closure of TfL Rail and Waterloo and City Line on Boxing Day
	Closure of Waterloo and City Line during the COVID-19 Control period.
	Closure of Night Tube. All nightclubs were closed.
	Gatherings of up to 5 were permitted in first phase and 8 were permitted in second phase.
	London Buses route 15 (Heritage) to be withdrawn.
	Closure of most attractions in London on Christmas Day
	Closure of The Original Tour Visitor Centre on Christmas Day
	Closure of shops on Christmas Day except suburban grocery stores, newsagents and to support their daily needs
	Transition to home-based learning.
	Social distancing in public transport during the lockdown periods.
	Mandatory mask wearing in all public places.
	Mandating all workers to work from home.

United States

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases	On 31 January 2020, the United States declared the virus a public health emergency. People other than U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family were prohibited from entering the U.S. within 14 days of being in China. On 2 February, all inbound passengers who had been to Hubei in the previous 14 days were placed under quarantine for up to 14 days. American citizens who have traveled to the rest of mainland China were allowed to continue their travel home if they were asymptomatic, but would be monitored by local health departments. From 2 March, foreign nationals who have traveled to Iran within the past 14 days were denied permission to enter the U.S. American citizens and permanent residents returning to the United States who had travelled to Iran within the previous 14 days had to enter through an approved airport. On 13 March at 23:59 ET, incoming travel from the Schengen area in Europe was suspended. The official proclamation on 11 March stated that this restriction applied only to foreign nationals traveling to the United States, if they have been to a country within the Schengen area in the past 14 days. The ban does not apply to, for example, legal permanent residents and most immediate family members of U.S. citizens. Also, cargo and trading goods were not affected. On 14 March, the Trump administration extended the ban to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. The restrictions were put in place for a period of 30 days, however the official proclamation did not contain that time limit, stating; "This proclamation shall remain in effect until terminated by the President." Effective 29 May, foreigners coming from Brazil were restricted from entering the US. Overall, The United States has restricted the entry of all foreign nationals who have visited Brazil, China, Iran, the Schengen Area, Ireland, or the United Kingdom in the past 14 days. On 6 August the U.S. Department of State lifted a Level 4 Global health travel advisory issued on 19 March which advised all American Citizens to avoid all international travel. As of 26 January 2021, all air passengers ages two and older must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the United States. With effect from 26 January 2021, the US has re-instated travel restrictions for all immigrants and non-immigrants, who visited the Schengen Area, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and South Africa, 14-days before their attempted entry into the US.
Community cases	24-hour services ended on 1 April 2020 for New York City and Chicago Subways.
	Closure of most workplaces, and only essential services will operate in all of the states.
	Full transition to home-based learning.
	US airspace is being shut down. No civilian aircraft is allowed to takeoff in April to June 2020.
	From 1 January 2021, masks were made mandatory in all public places, after Donald Trump resisted on wearing masks especially in public places.