The Effects of Social Distancing Policy on the Changes of Floating Population in Korea

ObjectivesIn response to the World Health Organizations declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, nations worldwide, including Korea, implemented social distancing as a critical Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention (NPI) to curb the spread of the disease. Social distancing measures aimed to reduce person-to-person contact through various strategies such as facility restrictions, gathering limitations, travel bans, and lockdowns. MethodsThis study investigated the impact of social distancing policies on the floating population across 229 administrative districts in Korea. The dependent variable was the total floating population, while the independent variable was the social distancing stage of the week, focusing on stages that prevailed for more than half of each week. Control variables included sex ratio, season, and the number of weekly holidays. ResultsDescriptive analysis and t-tests were conducted to examine the variables, and Panel GEE analysis was performed to analyze changes in the floating population with the social distancing stage. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the floating population when transitioning from stage 5 to stage 4 of social distancing. This indicates that stricter gathering restrictions and increased local government autonomy effectively reduced person- to-person contact. DiscussionThese findings underscore the importance of targeted social distancing measures in mitigating transmission risks during infectious disease outbreaks. The study provides valuable insights for future policymaking on infectious diseases, offering relevant data to inform effective public health strategies and responses. Understanding the impacts of such measures can help refine approaches to managing future pandemics and ensuring public health safety.