Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) interventions to control COVID-19 An Overview of Systematic Reviews

Abstract Response to the COVID-19 pandemic included a wide range of Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM). PHSM refer to a broad array of nonpharmaceutical interventions implemented by individuals, communities and governments to reduce the risk and scale of transmission of epidemic- and pandemic-prone infectious diseases. In order to inform decisions by the public, health workforce and policy-makers, there is a need to synthesize the large volume of published work on COVID-19. This study protocol describes the methodology for an overview of reviews focusing on the effectiveness and/or unintended health and socio-economic consequences of PHSM implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can shape policy and research related to PHSM moving forward.