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).

By country

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

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.
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, pubs and bars from 11.30pm.

United Kingdom

Reduction of	Closures
Imported cases
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 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