Social Distancing in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reconfiguration of the social paradigm and has brought about a challenge in terms of social distancing during this critical period. Dynamic and interconnected social networks are prone to the spread of the virus both individually and at the macro-social level. The spread of the disease is controlled by allowing sensitive people to temporarily reduce their social contacts, as an attitude taken due to the presence of the virus in the local neighborhood. The social distancing promoted by governments and public health bodies comes as a method to control the pandemic, in the absence of antiviral drugs or a vaccine. Therefore, the control and management of this network during the pandemic is essential. The paper aims to present and analyze the changes that this measure produces in all sectors of society, globally. Also, it emphasizes the role of the government in implementing the measure and the need for cooperation of the population.