Resolve to Save Lives

Covid-19/ Public Health and Social Measures

Using Public Health and Social Measures to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

April 27, 2020

Rendering of the 2019-nCoV virion. Dan Higgins, MAM/CDC/REUTERS

This briefing note outlines public health and social measures (PHSMs) used to slow the spread of COVID-19 and recommends five essential considerations for using them effectively: adaptation for local contexts, especially low- and middle-income countries; using evidence-based triggers to start and stop implementation; effective risk communication with affected communities; respect for human rights and dignity; and preparing to safely remove PHSMs by building public health capacity.