COVID-19 lockdowns work better in wealthier countries

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-06-29 04:00

Australia; International; WA

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Lower awareness of COVID-19, poorer health and economic conditions could reduce the effectiveness of lockdowns in developing countries, according to Australian and international researchers. Analysing COVID-19 statistics and lockdown measures across the world, the researchers say stricter restrictions did generally lead to less movement and fewer confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. Additionally, they say restrictions were better adhered to in more democratic countries with less perceived government corruption. In countries considered less developed, with high population density, poorer education and health services, people appeared to move about less during lockdowns, but the researchers say this did not lead to better containment of the virus.