Social distance capacity to control the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review on time series analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reducing interpersonal contact has been one of the least expensive and most widely used COVID-19 control strategies. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review has been conducted with the aim of identifying social distancing strategies and policies and their impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In order to compile this systematic review, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Magiran, SID, and Irandoc databases were searched from the COVID-19 outbreak until March 2021. Keywords included “social”, “physical”, “distance”, “outbreak”, “incidence”, “prevalence”, “spread”, “new case”, “death*”, “mortality*”, “morbidity*” , “covid-19”, “coronavirus”, “sars-cov-2” and “time series*”. The articles were qualitatively evaluated by two researchers using the STROBE tool. Finally, the study data were divided into three conceptual categories by three researchers, who then agreed on one category. The practical suggestions were also categorized in the same way. RESULTS: The policies and strategies adopted to implement social distancing were included in five categories of restrictions, prohibitions, closures, incentives, and punishments. Transportation and travel restrictions, crowded places and schools closure, use of telecommunications and virtual communications, and financial and psychological support to society members were the main policies in this area. CONCLUSION: Rapid and complete vaccination of all people around the world is out of reach, therefore social distancing and the implementation of physical restraints, especially in crowded and densely populated environments, should be done extensively until COVID-19 is eradicated.