This study investigates the dynamic impact of social distancing policy on COVID-19 infection control, mobility of people, and consumption expenditures in the Republic of Korea.
The authors find that the social distancing policy is an effective tool for reducing the spread of COVID-19, but a trade-off between infection control and economic activity rises over time. Vaccination is found to significantly reduce the critical rate while visitors and consumption expenditures increase as vaccination rates improve. The results also show that the effect of social distancing policies varies by the initial level and by age.