Rahmet GÜNER, İmran HASANOĞLU, Firdevs AKTAŞ

Evaluating the efficiency of public policy measures against COVID-19

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Afterward, it spread rapidly all over the world, causing almost 4 million deaths as of June 2021. It is clear that effective preventive measures are needed in this devastating disease, which still has no cure. In addition to mask using, social distancing, and hygiene practices, which enter our lives as the most basic precautions, communities aim to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. All over the world, the measures taken and activities performed in the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed, and information in this regard is shared. Mask usage, social distancing, hygiene, avoiding crowded and closed areas, contact tracing, rapid and accurate testing, increased indoor air quality, vaccination, and lockdown measures constitute the main preventive measures. This review summarizes the efficiency of public policy measures against COVID-19.Key words: COVID-19, prevention, public policy, contact tracing, lockdown, vaccination

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