Table 2.

Illustrative summary of non-pharmaceutical, non-vaccine, public health measures to counter widespread emerging respiratory virus threats

Category	Specific intervention	Evidence base and consequences
International travel measures	Travel advice	• Minimal evidence
	Entry screening	• Minimal evidence — moderately disruptive
	Border closures	• Minimally effective unless 100% complete • Unsustainable until vaccine is available • Very disruptive to society
Personal protective measures	Regular hand washing	• Effective to some extent
	Good respiratory hygiene	• Uncertain (presumed effective)
	General mask-wearing outside the home	• Uncertain
	Mask-wearing in high-risk situations	• Uncertain • Possibly partially effective in healthcare settings
	Mask-wearing by people with respiratory infection	• Effective to some extent
	Early self-isolation	• Uncertain but presumed effective
	Quarantine measures	• Ineffective for influenza; more effective for SARS-CoV
Social distancing measures	Internal travel restrictions	• Possibly minor delaying effect • Disruptive
	Reactive school closures	• Effective to some extent • Potentially disruptive secondary effects • Difficult to gauge when to re-open
	Proactive school closures	• Effective to some extent • Very substantial secondary effects • Difficult to gauge when to re-open
	Reactive workplace closures	• Uncertain
	Home working and reducing meetings	• Uncertain
	Cancellation of public gatherings	• Uncertain • Potentially disruptive

Adapted with permission from [26^••].