The effect of a strict facial-mask policy on the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland during the early phase of the pandemic

Emanuel Nussli, Simon Hediger (), Meta-Lina Spohn and Marloes H. Maathuis
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Emanuel Nussli: ETH Zurich
Simon Hediger: University of Zurich
Meta-Lina Spohn: ETH Zurich
Marloes H. Maathuis: ETH Zurich

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, 2024, vol. 160, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: Abstract During several weeks in the second half of the year 2020, the cantons of Switzerland could choose to adopt the government-determined facial-mask policy, corresponding to mandatory facial-mask wearing on public transport, or a strict facial-mask policy, corresponding to mandatory facial-mask wearing on public transport and in all public or shared spaces where social distancing was not possible. We estimate the effect of introducing the strict facial-mask policy on the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland during this first phase of the pandemic in 2020, using the cantonal heterogeneity in facial-mask policies. We adjust for social distancing behavior, weather, other non-pharmaceutical policies and further variables. We estimate a significant reduction in the expected spread of COVID-19 in the early pandemic if the strict facial-mask policy is adopted.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Policy making; Random effects; Fixed effects; Facial mask (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1186/s41937-024-00119-0

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