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

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