From the Guidelines
Social distancing is strongly recommended as an effective measure to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, and other airborne pathogens. The recommended distance is typically 6 feet (2 meters) between individuals who are not from the same household. Evidence supporting social distancing comes from multiple epidemiological studies showing that respiratory droplets containing viruses typically travel less than 6 feet before falling to surfaces or dispersing in the air 1. During disease outbreaks, communities that implemented social distancing measures experienced lower infection rates and reduced strain on healthcare systems. Social distancing works by reducing the opportunity for direct person-to-person transmission, especially important since many infectious individuals may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic while still being contagious. The effectiveness of social distancing increases when combined with other preventive measures such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and proper ventilation. Some key points to consider when implementing social distancing include:
- Reorganizing physical spaces to maintain a safe distance between individuals
- Limiting attendance at gatherings and using virtual meeting options when possible
- Maintaining awareness of physical proximity to others in public settings
- Considering the use of social distancing measures in combination with other interventions, such as mask use and hand hygiene, to maximize their effectiveness 1. It is also important to note that social distancing measures may need to be adapted based on the specific context and setting, such as in healthcare settings or in areas with high transmission rates 1. Overall, social distancing is a crucial component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases and protect public health.
From the Research
Evidence for Social Distancing
- Social distancing measures (SDMs) are community-level interventions that aim to reduce person-to-person contacts in the community, and were a major part of the responses to contain and mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community 2.
- Common SDMs included limiting the size of gatherings, closing schools and/or workplaces, implementing work-from-home arrangements, or more stringent restrictions such as lockdowns 2.
- The more stringent SDMs such as stay-at-home orders, restrictions on mass gatherings and closures were estimated to be most effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission 2.
- Combinations of SDMs successfully slowed or even stopped SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community, however, individual effects and optimal combinations of interventions, as well as the optimal timing for particular measures, require further investigation 2.
Effectiveness of Social Distancing
- Wearing of masks and social distancing can significantly decrease transmission and spread of human coronavirus 3.
- Public health interventions and non-pharmaceutical measurements, including social distancing measures, were effective in decreasing the transmission of COVID-19 4.
- Travel restrictions, borders measures, quarantine of travellers arriving from affected countries, city lockdown, restrictions of mass gathering, isolation and quarantine of confirmed cases and close contacts, social distancing measures, compulsory mask wearing, contact tracing and testing, school closures and personal protective equipment use among health workers were effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 4.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), when used appropriately in addition to other infection control measures, is effective protection during respiratory viral pandemics, and social distancing is an important component of this 5.
Social Distancing in Specific Settings
- Older people living in care homes are at high risk of poor health outcomes and mortality if they contract COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, and social distancing and isolation strategies can be used to prevent and control the transmission of these diseases in care homes 6.
- Strategies used to prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in care homes include social distancing and isolation of residents and staff, zoning and cohorting of residents, restriction of resident movement/activities, restriction of visitors and restriction of staff working patterns 6.
- However, there is a lack of empirical evidence and limited policy documentation around social distancing and isolation measures in care homes, and evaluative research on these interventions is needed urgently 6.