The Impact of Physical Distance on COVID-19 Transmission: A Comprehensive Review of Evidence and Implications

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the Corona‑viridian family, is responsible for the emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has developed into a worldwide pandemic since its initial detection in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in early December 2019. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of physical distancing measures on the transmission of COVID-19. A scoping review was conducted, with a focus on English-language literature available on Pub Med and Web of Science up to May 2022. The findings of this study indicate a statistically significant correlation between physical distance and the transmission of COVID-19. Nevertheless, it should be noted that COVID-19 primarily spreads through contact routes and respiratory droplets, and many aspects of its transmissibility are still not fully understood. As such, the topic of airborne transmission of COVID-19 remains a subject of debate and controversy.