The findings of the present study showed that the implementation of the social distancing policy in Iran has been effective in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 and has reduced both new cases and deaths. This policy is currently being used as a very effective strategy to control COVID-19 also in other countries.
Prior to the implementation of the social distancing policy, the trend of COVID-19 infection in Iran was increasing. Policy- and decision-makers have launched various programs to control the disease. Due to the fact that the new year holidays in Iran begin in early spring (Nowruz) (22), policy-makers were very concerned about the transmission of the disease through the numerous trips that take place every year during the holidays. Maximum travel restrictions were imposed on passenger transportation by air, train and intercity buses, while fully implementing health protocols (7).
A study by Medeiros de Figueiredo and colleagues, conducted by utilizing ITSA, looked at the impact of the social distancing policy in Chinese cities, and found that the implementation of this policy had significantly reduced the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 (23). In another study employing ITSA, Siedner et al. investigated the effect of social distancing on COVID-19 growth rate in different US states, where, between March 10th and 27th 2020, a policy of self-isolation was implemented and was able to significantly reduce the spread of the COVID-19 (24).
The findings of these two studies in China and the USA are consistent with the results of our study. All of these studies have shown a decrease in the average daily growth rate of cases and deaths, and over time, the social distance policy has been able to greatly help the health system of these countries to reduce the burden of disease, providing better services to hospitalized patients and avoiding overwhelming and straining the healthcare facilities.
At the beginning of COVID-19, some cities in Iran were severely affected by the outbreak and many people became quickly infected. Due to its geographical location, the religious city of Qom and the Northern cities of Iran, tourist destinations for Iranian travelers, were affected the most. Therefore, in the first days, these areas started social distancing earlier, since implementing social distancing can be a great policy option for the most hit settings (6, 7).
The biggest resistance to implementing this policy is due to its economic and social impact. Many people may become unemployed and unable to cover their expenditures. Therefore, a very careful monitoring of it’s the impact of the implementation of this policy should be done. Government should provide financial assistance, such as subsidies and loans, encouraging people to be more compliant with this policy (25).
Given the benefits of social distancing seen in some pandemics, it can also be effective in the COVID-19 outbreak, and policy-makers should try to mitigate the economic and psychological problems that can affect people (26).
After the implementation of social distancing, the trend of new cases and deaths decreased, which was in line with the expected goals of this policy. This enabled to enhance and improve laboratories and diagnostic testing capacity to identify cases as the policy was implemented, and new cases were identified better than in previous days. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly around the world, and implementing social distancing policy is effective (7). A study by Medeiros de Figueiredo et al. showed that delays in implementing policies that can reduce the spread of the disease can have a major impact on its containment (23).
China's experience in reducing the burden of COVID-19 compared to other countries has shown that the implementation of social distancing can be very effective (6). A late implementation of social distancing policy, such as in Italy, can result in a high mortality rate (27, 28).
Limitations of the study
Improving healthcare facilities and diagnostic testing capacity, changing diagnostic criteria, validating new tests and introducing some medications can affect the analyzes performed in this study. Moreover, we did not have access to time data at the province level. These data could be valuable in determining the effect of social distancing policy at the province level, because different provinces of Iran can be differently affected by the implementation of this policy due to the different conditions they may experience. The implementation of the social distancing policy may have been carried out more vigorously by some provinces, and this could affect the data. Provinces with larger populations can have a greater impact on the data. Social distancing began during the holidays, with many people staying at home and avoiding or reducing social and working activities.