The behavioural science behind the UK's social distancing policy

Getty Images Six weeks ago, it looked like the world might be able to contain the outbreak of Covid-19. On Monday Boris Johnson issued the strongest government advice yet – recommending social distancing for all, home quarantine for those with suspected cases of Covid-19 and social isolation for the most vulnerable – but stopping far short of the major measures seen elsewhere in Europe. One reason for that is the tricky behavioural science behind getting people to stay indoors for long periods of time. “One thing that's necessary for people to really support any kind of intervention is for it to be seen to be proportionate to the threat,” says Susan Michie, a professor of health psychology at University College London who is also a member of the scientific group advising the government’s response to Covid-19. Put in place a lockdown too early, and people may not be able to comply with it but go too late and you risk negating some of the possible public health benefits that come with wide social isolation.