|
Broad and specific decisions
|
Criteria
for 'best evidence synthesis'
|
Details to support relevance assessment |
Additional
decision-relevant details
|
Citation |
| Date of last search
|
Quality (AMSTAR) rating
|
Evidence-certainty (e.g., GRADE) assessment available |
Key findings
|
Living evidence synthesis |
Type of synthesis |
Type of question
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Children and youth services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
To be added
|
2020-05-10
|
4/10 |
No |
Limited evidence found important facilitators of and barriers to effective remote leadership for the delivery of social services for children and families [Review of observational studies of unknown quality conducting during and pre COVID-19 era] |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Wilkins D, Thompson S, Bezeczky Z. Child and family social work during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review of the evidence in relation to remote leadership. Wales: Cardiff University 2020; |
|
Citizenship
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Community engagement
|
2020-05-02
|
5/9 |
No |
Community engagement to support infection prevention and control activities can take many different forms and approaches [Review of studies conducted during the COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, MERS, H1N1 and SARS outbreaks] |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Gilmore B, Ndejjo R, Tchetchia A, de Claro V, Mago E, Diallo AA, et al. Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and control: A rapid evidence synthesis. BMJ Global Health. 2020;5(10):e003188. |
| |
Civil-rights violations
|
|
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|
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| |
Elections
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Climate action
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
| |
Climate-action focused economic stimulus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
More to be added
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Community and social services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Shopping and other services for socially isolated individuals
|
2020-09-11 |
4/9 |
No |
A review of strategies to reduce wait times for essential businesses among people with limited mobility showed that several interventions have been implemented by different countries including reserved hours of operation for specific populations, online orders and deliveries |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS). COVID-19 et mesures permettant aux personnes qui présentent des difficultés de mobilité de réduire leur temps d’attente en file devant les commerces ou les établissements (publics ou privés) offrant des services essentiels. INESSS. 2020 |
| |
Religious services restrictions (e.g., church, mosque or synagogue)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Supports for community resilience
|
2020-05-10
|
4/10 |
No |
Limited evidence found important facilitators of and barriers to effective remote leadership for the delivery of social services for children and families [Review of observational studies of unknown quality conducting during and pre COVID-19 era] |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Wilkins D, Thompson S, Bezeczky Z. Child and family social work during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review of the evidence in relation to remote leadership. Wales: Cardiff University 2020; |
|
Culture and gender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Stigma reduction
|
2020-05-20
|
7/9 |
No |
Very little evidence is available exploring discrimination and stigma associated with COVID-19 infection |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Rapid review: What is known about stigmatization related to COVID-19 in Canada? Hamilton: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
Domestic and gender-based violence reduction
|
2020-06-07
|
8/10 |
Yes |
A living review has yet to find studies that measure how the COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health in ways that are associated with domestic violence |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Full review |
Other |
John A, Eyles E, McGuinness LA, Okolie C, Olorisade BK, Schmidt L, Webb RT, Arenseman E, Hawton K, Kapur N, Moran P, O'Connor RC, O'Neill S, Gunnell D, Higgins JPT. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-harm and suicidal behaviour: protocol for a living systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2020;9:644. |
| |
|
2020-04-12
|
4/9 |
No |
There is an increase in intimate partner violence during pandemics, and substance use and intimate partner violence appear to be bidirectionally related [Review of studies conducted during COVID-19 era and beyond] |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Greaves L, Brabete AC, Wolfson L, Stinson J, Allen S, Poole N. Substance Use (SU) among Women in the Context of the Corollary Pandemics of COVID-19 and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Ottawa, ON: Centre of Excellence for Women's Health; 2020. |
| |
|
2020-04-20
|
7/9 |
No |
Psychological therapies may be effective in reducing the psychological symptoms associated with domestic violence or sexual assault, and virtual care interventions appear most effective as a supplement to or facilitator of in-person trauma-focused care [Review based on studies of unknown quality] |
No |
Rapid review |
Benefits and harms |
Montesanti S, Silverstone P, Wells L, Ghidei W. Examining the use of virtual care interventions to provide trauma-focused treatment to domestic violence and sexual assault populations. Edmonton, AB: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; 2020. |
| |
|
2020-09-04
|
7/9 |
No |
Gender inequity and violence was found to be a social consequence of mass quarantine during epidemics [Review of studies conducted during COVID-19, MERS, H1N1, SARS and other outbreaks] |
No |
Full review |
Other |
Chu IY, Alam P, Larson H, Lin L. Social consequences of mass quarantine during epidemics: a systematic review with implications for the COVID-19 response. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2020. |
| |
|
2020-07-16
|
8/10 |
No |
Gender gaps in employment have probably been increased during the COVID-19 pandemic among families with children |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children? Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
|
2020-04-01
|
6/11 |
No |
Evidence suggests that online programs might help decrease the perpetration of psychological and physical intimate partner violence in motivated individuals [Review of studies of unknown quality] |
No |
Full review |
Benefits and harms |
Spencer CM, Stith SM, King EL. Preventing maltreatment at home: A meta-analysis examining outcomes from online programs. Research on Social Work Practice. 2020. |
| |
Arts and cultural institutions
|
2021-01-04
|
7/9 |
No |
The risk of transmitting COVID-19 while singing or playing wind instruments, as well as the effects of strategies to mitigate risks associated with these activities, are uncertain |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What is known about the risk of transmission of COVID-19 during musical activities such as singing or playing a wind instrument, and how can these risks be mitigated? National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2021. |
| |
Religious institutions and practices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Economic development and growth
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Economic resilience
|
2020-09-04
|
7/9 |
No |
Economic challenges have been identified as a social consequence of mass quarantine during epidemics [Review of studies conducted during COVID-19, MERS, H1N1, SARS and other outbreaks] |
No |
Full review |
Other |
Chu IY, Alam P, Larson H, Lin L. Social consequences of mass quarantine during epidemics: a systematic review with implications for the COVID-19 response. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2020. |
| |
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
No |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review evaluating the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in different countries is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Other |
Souresrafil A & Rezapour A. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review protocol. PROSPERO. 2020; CRD42020193549 |
| |
Targeted support to most affected industries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Interest rate reductions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Interest-free or -reduced loans to businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Revolving credit lines
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Corporate bond buying (by government)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Government bond buying (by central banks)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Rent relief for businesses (by government)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Debt relief for businesses (by government)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Debt relief for governments (e.g., by IMF)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tax deferral for businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Education
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Online instruction
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
Yes |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review evaluating the impact of web-based or virtual peer learning among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Benefits and harms |
Kaur M, Sharma N, Srivastav AK. A systematic review of the beneficial and detrimental impacts of web-based learning or virtual peer learning among university students during the COVID-19 era. PROSPERO. 2020; CRD42020203553 |
| |
Student supports
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
Yes |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review evaluating the impact of distance learning on the wellbeing of students in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Other |
Czakert JP, Ballesteiros GP, Berger R. The impact of distance teaching and learning on the well-being of teachers and students in higher education - a systematic review of covid-19-related research. PROSPERO. 2021;CRD42021229211. |
| |
Instructor supports
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
Yes |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review evaluating the impact of distance learning on the wellbeing of teachers in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Other |
Czakert JP, Ballesteiros GP, Berger R. The impact of distance teaching and learning on the well-being of teachers and students in higher education - a systematic review of covid-19-related research. PROSPERO. 2021;CRD42021229211. |
| |
Classroom changes
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
Yes |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review on the effectiveness of school practices to promote social distancing for COVID-19 in schools is currently being conducted |
Yes (row content last updated on 2020-12-07) |
Protocol |
Benefits and harms |
Pena J, Gonzalez C, Cuadrado C, Rada G. School Practices to Promote Social Distancing for COVID-19: a Living Systematic Review Protocol. PROSPERO 2020; CRD42020180701. |
| |
School changes |
2021-02-24
|
8/10 |
No |
When infection prevention and control measures are in place and adhered to, the risk of transmission among children in schools and daycares, and from children to adults more generally is probably low |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Living Rapid Review Update 13: What is the specific role of daycares and schools in COVID-19 transmission? Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
|
2020-07-14
|
9/11 |
No |
Insufficient evidence was found on the risks of COVID-19 transmission in schools, but some indication that there is a lower infection attack rate among students compared to school staff [Review of observational studies] |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Full review |
Other |
Wei X, Xue L, Marshall D, Yazhou H, Amir K, Zhongyu L, et al. What is the evidence for transmission of COVID-19 by children in schools? A living systematic review. medRxiv. 2020. |
| |
|
2020-06-10
|
5/9 |
No |
Whereas the effects of closing schools are uncertain, children appear to be less likely to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 at schools compared to home settings |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Group. What role might children play in community SARS-CoV-2 transmission? What measures might mitigate potential additional risk of transmission of COVID-19 related to school and daycare reopening? Calgary, AB: Alberta Health Services; 2020. |
| |
Skill re-development programs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Service planning for 'return to normal' |
2020-07-01 |
5/9 |
No |
Local context and circumstances surrounding community outbreaks should be considered when easing school lockdown restrictions, and when developing and implementing mitigation strategies and public-health measures [Review of observational studies of unknown quality] |
No |
Full review |
Other |
D'angelo D, Sinopoli A, Napoletano A, Gianola S, Castellini G, Del Monaco A, et al. Strategies to exiting the COVID-19 lockdown for workplace and school: A scoping review. Safety Science. 2021. |
|
Employment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Worker supports
|
2020-07-16 |
8/10 |
No |
The COVID-19 pandemic has probably impacted families with children by reducing the number of working hours, especially for female caregivers |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children? Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
|
2020-05-05
|
6/10 |
No |
Significant variation was found among studies evaluating the impacts of working at home on individuals' mental and physical health, however communication between managers and colleagues as well as financial compensation might be useful to mitigate any potential risks associated with remote work [Review of observational studies conducted during before COVID-19 pandemic] |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Oakman J, Kinsman N, Stuckey R, Graham M, Weale V. A rapid review of mental and physical health effects of working at home: How do we optimise health? BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1825. |
| |
Workplace changes
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
No |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review exploring work environments during epidemic or pandemic outbreaks is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Other |
Nyberg A, Rajaleid K, Demmelmaier I. The work environment during epidemic or pandemic outbreak – A systematic review. PROSPERO. 2021; CRD42021229165 |
| |
Building changes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Service planning for 'return to normal'
|
2020-07-01
|
5/9 |
No |
Local context and circumstances surrounding community outbreaks should be considered when easing workplace lockdown restrictions, and when developing and implementing mitigation strategies and public-health measures [Review of observational studies of unknown quality] |
No |
Full review |
Other |
D'angelo D, Sinopoli A, Napoletano A, Gianola S, Castellini G, Del Monaco A, et al. Strategies to exiting the COVID-19 lockdown for workplace and school: A scoping review. Safety Science. 2021. |
|
Energy supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
To be added
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental conservation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fire bans due to limitations in and risk for fire-fighting
personnel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
More to be added
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial protection
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Income replacement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Wage subsidies for essential workers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Rent deferral for citizens
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Debt relief for citizens
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tax deferral for citizens
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Financial-scam prevention
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Broader consumer protection
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food safety and security
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Agricultural processes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Food processing plant design
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Food transportation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Food shopping changes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Food handling practices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Household food security
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
No |
[Protocol - results not yet available] A review evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Views and experiences Doustmohammadian A, Kasaii MS, Alibeyk S, Saryazdi M. The impact of COVID-19 on food security: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. PROSPERO. 2020; CRD42020185843 |
|
| |
Food handling practices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Transitioning to e-services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
More to be added
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Housing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Homeless shelters
|
2020-07-27
|
8/10 |
No |
Higher rates of infections have been consistently found in congregate settings such as shelters compared to community settings |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What factors increase the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate living settings? How do outcomes compare to outbreaks in community settings?Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
Other congregate living environments
|
2020-07-27
|
8/10 |
No |
Higher rates of infections have been consistently found in congregate settings (e.g., shelters, prisons and others) compared to community settings |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What factors increase the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate living settings? How do outcomes compare to outbreaks in community settings?Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
| |
Housing alternatives when quarantine or physical distancing is
needed
|
N/A (Protocol)
|
n/a |
No |
[Protocol - no results yet available] A review exploring mitigation strategies among people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently being conducted |
No |
Protocol |
Other |
Zhu A, Bruketa E, Orkin A, Svoboda T, Baral S. A systematic review of COVID-19 mitigation strategies among people experiencing homelessness. PROSPERO. 2020; CRD42020208964. |
|
Infrastructure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Broadband internet access
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Cyber-security protocols for governments and businesses (see
financial protection for protecting citizens from financial scams)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Green-space re-allocations to accommodate physical distancing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Road-space re-allocations to accommodate physical distancing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Price collapses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Distribution difficulties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public safety and justice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Curfews |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Enforcement of public-health measures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Public demonstrations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Police work in pandemics |
Not specified
|
4/9 |
No |
Natural disasters and public-health emergencies might affect police-community relations, the mental health of police officers, cause disruption of interorganizational departments, and influence inter-agency cooperation [Review of studies conducted during COVID-19 era and beyond] |
No |
Full review |
Other |
Laufs J, Waseem Z. Policing in pandemics: A systematic review and best practices for police response to COVID-19. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 2020;51:101812. |
| |
Prisons
|
2020-07-27
|
8/10 |
No |
Higher rates of infections have been consistently found in congregate settings such as prisons compared to community settings |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. What factors increase the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate living settings? How do outcomes compare to outbreaks in community settings?Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools; 2020. |
|
Recreation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Public spaces like parks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Private spaces like gyms
|
2021-03-26 |
8/9 |
No |
Synthesis pending
|
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-03-29) |
Full review |
Benefits and harms |
COVID NMA. Social Distancing at Sports Training vs No Access to Sports Training Facilities. 2020. |
| |
|
2020-10-20
|
7/10 |
No |
The risk of COVID-19 transmission in indoor physical activity settings, such as gyms and fitness centres is uncertain |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Rapid review: What is known about the risk of COVID-19 transmission across different indoor settings in the community such as restaurants and gyms? Hamilton, ON: National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. 2020; |
|
Transportation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Quarantining travellers |
2020-06-23
|
7/10 |
Yes |
The effectiveness of quarantining individuals travelling from a country with a declared outbreak is uncertain |
Yes (row content last updated on 2021-04-12) |
Rapid review |
Other |
Nussbaumer-Streit B, Mayr V, Dobrescu AIulia, Chapman A, Persad E, Klerings I, et al. Quarantine alone or in combination with other public health measures to control COVID‐19: A rapid review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020;(4)CD013574. |
| |
Public transportation rules
|
2020-07-29
|
8/11 |
No |
A systematic review assessing the effect of physical distancing measures on mental health showed that closures of public transportation appear to be associated with an increase in anxiety levels |
No |
Full review |
Other |
Castaldelli-Maia JM, Marziali ME, Lu Z, Martins SS. Investigating the effect of national government physical distancing measures on depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic through meta-analysis and meta-regression. 2020. |
| |
Private transportation restrictions
|
2021-02-26
|
8/9 |
Yes |
Whereas the majority of the available evidence is uncertain and coming from the pre-COVID era, studies suggest that restricting cross-border travel may reduce the number of imported and exported cases of COVID-19, and reduce the acceleration of epidemic progression |
No |
Rapid review |
Benefits and harms |
Burns J, Movsisyan A, Stratil JM, Coenen M, Emmert-Fees KMF, Geffert K, et al. Travel‐related control measures to contain the COVID‐19 pandemic: A rapid review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2020;(9):Art. No.: CD013717. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013717. |
| |
|
2020-04-01
|
5/9 |
No |
A systematic review assessing international public health responses to the COVID-19, MERS and SARS pandemics found that flight suspensions were one of the common management decisions made by governments |
No |
Rapid review |
Other |
Tabari P, Amini M, Moghadami M, Moosavi M. International public health responses to COVID-19 outbreak: A rapid review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2020;45(3):157-169. |
| |
|
2020-06-01
|
5/9 |
No |
Evidence suggests that domestic or international travel bans played an important role in mitigating the spread of infection during the early phases of the pandemic, but that this effectiveness was short lived [Review of observational studies of low quality] |
No |
Rapid review |
Benefits and harms |
Grepin KA, Ho TL, Liu Z, Marion S, Piper J, Worsnop CZ, et al. Evidence of the effectiveness of travel-related measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid systematic review. medRxiv. 2020. |