Together Again: Physical Distancing on the Decline

IMF Blog, November 12, 2020

Source details

Authors: Getty Images)WomenTogether Again: Physical Distancing on the DeclineNovember 12, Frederico Lima, Hibah Khan
Published: November 12, 2020

Publication date: November 12, 2020
Authors: Era Dabla-Norris, Frederico Lima, and Hibah Khan
Main finding: As COVID-19 outbreaks ebbed and lockdowns eased over the summer, mobility increased and self-reported compliance with recommended COVID-19 behaviors declined across many advanced and emerging economies.

Mobility measures (such as Google Community Mobility Reports) showed increased movement after lockdowns eased.
Self-reported behaviors through September indicate:
- More people reported attending small social gatherings in September compared to March and April.
- Fewer people reported working from home in September compared to March and April.
- Significantly higher rates of reported mask wearing in September, particularly in countries where public mask wearing was initially not common.
Drivers of lower compliance noted in the text:
- Government relaxation of restrictive lockdowns, including allowing shops, restaurants, and other service-sector businesses to re-open.
- Fatigue and complacency with COVID-19 restrictions, especially among younger people and other lower-risk groups.
Behavioral balancing observed: Many people sought to balance recommended behaviors with needs to return to work, care for family members, and maintain social contacts.

Gender:
- Women consistently reported higher adoption of physical distancing than men, even after accounting for employment status, household size, and number of children.
- This pattern is noted as consistent with findings that women are more risk averse than men.
Age and risk status:
- Older people and other at-risk groups reported higher adoption of recommended behaviors.
Trust:
- People who trust their government’s response to COVID-19 were more likely to adopt recommended behaviors.
- Trust in government response appears to have declined in several countries, especially those with more severe COVID-19 outbreaks.

The combination of eroding trust in government responses and declining compliance with recommended behaviors is likely to create challenges in the months ahead.
These challenges are particularly salient as many countries face the possibility—and in some cases already the reality—of new COVID-19 outbreaks.

Together Again: Physical Distancing on the Decline, November 12, 2020; Era Dabla-Norris, Frederico Lima, and Hibah Khan.