COVID-19 lockdowns
During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, a number of non-pharmaceutical interventions colloquially known as lockdowns (encompassing stay-at-home orders, curfews, quarantines, cordons sanitaires and similar societal restrictions) were implemented in numerous countries and territories around the world.[1] These restrictions were established with the intention to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.[2] By April 2020, about half of the world's population was under some form of lockdown, with more than 3.9 billion people in more than 90 countries or territories having been asked or ordered to stay at home by their governments.[3] Although similar disease control measures have been used for hundreds of years, the scale of those implemented in the 2020s is thought to be unprecedented.[4]
"COVID lockdowns" redirects here. For lockdowns as a whole, see Lockdown. For other uses, see Lockdown (disambiguation).
Research and case studies have shown that lockdowns were generally effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19, therefore flattening the curve.[5][6][7] The World Health Organization's recommendation on lockdowns is that they should be very brief, short-term measures to reorganize, regroup, rebalance resources, and protect health workers who are exhausted. To achieve a balance between restrictions and normal life, the WHO recommends a response to the pandemic that consists of strict personal hygiene, effective contact tracing, and isolating when ill.[8]
In addition to the health effects of lockdown restrictions,[9] researchers have found the lockdowns have reduced crime and violence by armed non-state actors, such as the Islamic State, and other terrorist groups.[10] They have also had profound negative economic impacts, and have been met with protests in some territories.
In the table pandemic lockdowns are defined as the shutdown of parts of the economy,[520] due to non-pharmaceutical anti-pandemic measures and are enforceable by law like:
These measures are considered to have caused the COVID-19 recession in 2020.[521]
The table does not contain:
The pandemic has resulted in the largest number of shutdowns/lockdowns worldwide at the same time in history.[522]
By 26 March, 1.7 billion people worldwide were under some form of lockdown,[523] which increased to 3.9 billion people by the first week of April – more than half of the world's population.[524][525] Lockdowns affect 93% of workers worldwide. 30% live in nations with complete workplace closures, save for critical businesses, and 42% in countries with partial closures. Nearly 20% live in nations with recommended but not compulsory workplace shutdown.[526]
Major restrictions first began in China,[527] with other countries in East Asia like Vietnam soon following it in implementing widespread containment measures. Much of Europe, North America and Africa took much longer to bring in tough measures. Lockdowns between and within nations are of varying stringency.[528]
By mid April, nearly 300 million people, or about 90 per cent of the population, were under some form of lockdown in the United States,[529] with around 100 million in the Philippines[530] and about 59 million in South Africa,[531] while around 1.3 billion were under lockdown in India, which was the largest of all lockdowns.[532][533]
By the end of April, around 300 million people were under lockdown in various countries of Europe, including but not limited to Italy, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom; while around 200 million people were under lockdown in Latin America.[530] In Germany, 35% of workers did work from home in addition to their regular on-site duties, while 26% did so exclusively.[534]