The implementation of governmental Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) has been the primary means of controlling the spread of the COVID-19 disease The intended effect of these NPIs has been to reduce mobility A strong reduction in mobility is believed to have a positive effect on the reduction of COVID-19 transmission by limiting the opportunity for the virus to spread in the population Due to the huge costs of implementing these NPIs, it is essential to have a good understanding of their efficacy Using global mobility data, released by Apple and Google, and ACAPS NPI data, we have investigated the proportional contribution of NPIs on i) the size of the change (magnitude) of transition between pre- and post-lockdown mobility levels and ii) the rate (gradient) of this transition Using generalized linear models to find the best fit model, we found similar results using Apple or Google data NPIs found to have impacted the magnitude of the change in mobility were: lockdown measures (Apple, Google Retail and Recreation (RAR) and Google Transit and Stations (TS));declaring a state of emergency (Apple, Google RAR and Google TS);closure of businesses and public services (Google RAR) and school closures (Apple) Using cluster analyses and chi square tests, we found that closure of businesses and public services, school closures and limiting public gatherings, as well as border closures and international flight suspensions, were closely related The implementation of lockdown measures and limiting public gatherings have had the greatest effect on the rate of mobility change In conclusion, we were able to quantitatively assess the efficacy of NPIs in reducing mobility, which have enabled us to understand their fine grained effects in a timely manner, thereby facilitating well-informed and cost-effective interventions
Measuring the effect of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) on mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic using global mobility data