Lockdown measures have been an integral tool in the fight against COVID-19. But they come at a high cost, given their impacts on economies, employment and incomes, education, food systems, mental health and even the potential for civil unrest.

Photo: Empty streets during lockdown in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2020 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 World Bank/Sambrian Mbaabu).

This policy briefing by Sarah Cliffe, Paul von Chamier, and Nendirmwa Noel examines how countries are balancing the need for lockdown with policy measures to alleviate their effects and plans for reopening. It provides comparative data on the stringency of lockdowns, showing that while there has been a convergence towards more stringent measures over time, there is also wide variation among countries—even among those in the same region, or income group. A brief case study of Sierra Leone and snapshot examples of policy from ten other countries illustrates the range of answers to the question of how much lockdown is enough.

Download the full briefing here.

More Resources

  • Publication: Report March 28, 2025

    Annual Report 2024

    As we reflect on 2024, it is clear that the challenges facing our world demand bold, collaborative, and forward-thinking solutions. At NYU’s Center on International Cooperation, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to advancing effective multilateral action to prevent crises and foster peace, justice, and inclusion. This annual report highlights our efforts, achievements, and vision as we work to address the compounding crises shaping our global landscape.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive regular updates on our latest events, analysis, and resources.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.