How effective are lockdown measures in curbing coronavirus spread?
The world currently suffers under the grip of a deadly pandemic, and as the new coronavirus variant spreads rapidly, authorities around the world are bracing up for another wave of infection.
Since the onset of COVID-19, several countries have imposed nationwide lockdowns, restrictions, and introduced COVID-related guidelines to curb the spread of the virus and to safeguard the health of the most vulnerable in the society.
Apart from that, a coronavirus vaccination drive is underway in full swing, with some countries having offered booster shots to high risk group people.
What is the stringency index and where does India stand?
Stringency index is an aggregate score or composite measure based on nine response indicators including school closures, workplace closures, cancellation of public events, restrictions on public gatherings and travel bans, rescaled to a value from 0 to 100, 100 being the strictest. The index looks into and records the severity of the lockdown policies imposed by countries on people.
The Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) project calculates the stringency index for countries. As far as India is concerned, the stringency index is currently 45.85. This only reflects lesser restrictions and curfews. It has been noted that India has unlocked COVID-related restrictions more than other countries, data reveals.
The same data shows that China has one of the highest stringency index at a score of 76.39 score, while countries like US, Brazil, Japan, and the UK are in the range of 40s.
Having said that, let us take a look at some of the strictest COVID measures around the world.
China introduces harsh COVID-19 restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases
In China, a lot of people are facing terrible challenges, as the country imposes harsh COVID restrictions.
As per the latest guidelines, anyone seen roaming around on the streets, can face up to 10 days in police detention and a fine of 500 yuan (over Rs. 5000 in India). The only vehicles allowed outside are those of virus control. The citizens were told that they could leave their homes if they were facing a medical emergency or to get tested.
Anyone who does not adhere to the new rules can again face detention and will have to pay a fine.
Italy's strict anti-COVID measures
Even before the Omicron variant was known to people, Italy had already imposed anti-COVID restrictions.
As per the new mandate, anyone on payroll, basically all workers in the private and public sectors, were to show a government-issued COVID-19 pass. The 'green pass' with a QR code is supposed to be proof for vaccination, recent recovery from infection or a negative test.
Employees who do not follow this rule are said to have paid up to 1,500 euros as fine and faced suspension. This started a widespread protest in the country in October, 2021.
Austria's COVID measures stirred a public demonstration
Prior to the onset of the Omicron variant, European countries were already witnessing a spike in the number of COVID cases.
Austria was one of the countries to impose strict measures to curb the spread of the virus. In November, it announced the country's fourth lockdown since the start of the pandemic. Outdoor spaces like restaurants, bars, stores and sporting venues were shut down.
This stirred protests and demonstrations in the capital city Vienna.
Extreme lockdown rules imposed by countries early on during pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, countries have taken all appropriate measures to safeguard the healthy interest of the people.
India too has imposed a long, nationwide lockdown, which prevented a spike in the number of cases. But as the restrictions were lifted, the country had to battle the implications of a devastating second COVID wave.
However, there were countries who went all in when it came to imposing COVID lockdown measures. In Panama, men and women were not allowed to go out of the house together, rather separately on alternate days.
Serbia imposed some of the strictest lockdown measures early on, wherein people over the age of 65 were only allowed out for food shopping once a week and very early in the morning. In addition, a ban on a "dog-walking hour" every evening, meaning pets could not go outside at all.
Several countries take strict measures against the unvaccinated
Given that COVID-19 cases have increased in the recent past, some countries are looking forward to making coronavirus vaccines mandatory for the people.
While countries like Germany and Israel are all set to make vaccines compulsory, Austria has vowed to lift restrictions for the vaccinated or people who have recently recovered from the virus. On the more stricter side, Greece has imposed fines on people who are yet to receive their COVID vaccination.
Additionally, Spain has banned unvaccinated travelers from the UK to enter their borders.
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