Open access
Date
2022Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
We study the interplay of non-pharmaceutical containment measures, human behavior, and the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland. First, we collect sub-national data and construct indices that capture the stringency of containment measures at the cantonal level. Second, we use a vector autoregressive model to analyze feedback effects between our variables of interest via structural impulse responses. Our results suggest that increases in the stringency of containment measures lead to a significant reduction in weekly infections as well as debit card transactions, which serve as a proxy for behavioral changes in the population. Furthermore, analyzing different policy measures individually shows that business closures, recommendations to work from home, and restrictions on gatherings have been particularly effective in containing the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland. Finally, our findings indicate a sizeable voluntary reduction in debit card transactions in response to a positive infection shock. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000534170Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Swiss Journal of Economics and StatisticsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
COVID-19; Reproduction rate; Stringency; SwitzerlandOrganisational unit
03716 - Sturm, Jan-Egbert / Sturm, Jan-Egbert
02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute
06330 - KOF FB Konjunktur / KOF Macroeconomic forecasting
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Is new version of: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000493408
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