Face Mask Mandate and Compliance with Physical Distancing Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last registered on May 13, 2020

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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title

Face Mask Mandate and Compliance with Physical Distancing Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0005831

Initial registration date

May 11, 2020

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

May 13, 2020, 3:45 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country

Germany

Region

Berlin

Primary Investigator

Name

Anna Balleyer

Affiliation

University of Groningen

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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name

Nicola Cerutti

PI Affiliation

Berlin School of Economics and Law

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Yiming Liu

PI Affiliation

Humboldt University & WZB Berlin Social Science Center

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Müge Süer

PI Affiliation

Humboldt University

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PI Name

Gyula Seres

PI Affiliation

Humboldt University & Tilburg Law and Economics Center

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Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2020-05-12

End date

2020-05-20

Keywords

Health, Labor

Additional Keywords

public policy, public health, COVID-19, pandemic, keeping distance

JEL code(s)

Secondary IDs

Abstract

Whether face masks are effective in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is still a heavily debated subject. Following up on an earlier field experiment (https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/5735), we seek to investigate whether a face mask policy change impacts the distance-keeping between individuals in public spaces in Berlin (Germany) where masks recently became compulsory in public transport and in stores. In this current study, we replicate the study design from an earlier study which was conducted before face masks became compulsory.
We found in the earlier study that individuals keep a significantly greater distance from experimenters wearing a mask compared to those not wearing one. In the present experiment, we expect the policy change to significantly affect the distance-keeping in response to face masks.

External Link(s)

The original study which we seek to replicate now after the policy change.

Registration Citation

Citation

Balleyer, Anna et al. 2020. "Face Mask Mandate and Compliance with Physical Distancing Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic." AEA RCT Registry. May 13. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.5831-1.0

Sponsors & Partners

Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

Intervention Start Date

2020-05-12

Intervention End Date

2020-05-20

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

The personal distance kept by other individuals to the experimenters.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

The primary outcomes of the analysis will be the measured distance between the experimenter and the subject standing behind in the line and an indicator for whether or not the subject complies with the distance of 150cm.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

As this study replicates an earlier study of ours, we copied this part from the original study:
The experimenters position themselves at the end of a line to enter a business. As soon as an individual joins the line behind the experimenter, the experimenter records the distance to the next individual in line behind them. Shortly after the measurement, the experimenter leaves to rejoin the end of the line. The experimenter varies whether or not to wear an FFP2 mask according to a predefined protocol.

Experimental Design Details

As this study replicates an earlier study of ours, we copied this part from the original study:
The experimenters position themselves at the end of a line (e.g. in front of the post office, see experimental protocol for details). The experimenters are adjusting themselves facing away from the line such that the person in front of them stands to their one side and the arriving subject on their opposing side; this allows the experimenters to better register incoming subjects and turn toward them to conduct the subsequent distance measurement. Then, the experimenters calibrate a measurement app on their mobile device and await the subject’s arrival to start the measurement. After the measurement is taken, the experimenters immediately record the observed variables as described below on their mobile device. Experimenters vary whether or not they wear a facial mask according to the experimental protocol. As described in the experimental protocol, experimenters measure the key dependent variable of this study using an augmented-reality measuring app. Specifically, the distance in centimeters between the experimenter and the subject next in line at the moment of joining the line and standing still will be used to assess to what extent the subject adheres to the public safety recommendation of keeping a distance of at least 150 cm. Furthermore, visibly accessible data about the subjects is recorded to be used in the analysis. Specifically, experimenters record the subjects’ gender, age, whether the subject is wearing a self-made or store-bought face mask themselves, and whether they are accompanied. If subjects are accompanied, experimenters record how many individuals are joining the subject and whether this group includes children or only adults. Furthermore, the time and date, as well as the address and store of observation, are recorded by each experimenter.

Randomization Method

As this study replicates an earlier study of ours, we copied this part from the original study:
Before each session, each of the experimenters set an even target of observations to be recorded. Half of the observations should be executed with, and the other half without a face mask on. The order is decided randomly using a fair coin by the experimenter before starting the respective session. Example: The experimenter sets the number to 20. After tossing the coin, the sessions start with 10 observations with the mask on. Then the experimenter removes the mask and performs another 10 without.

Please note that the treatment variable public policy cannot be randomized.

Randomization Unit

The treatment is randomized within experimental sessions as described in the randomization method.

Was the treatment clustered?

Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

As this study replicates an earlier study of ours, we copied this part from the original study:
The data will be collected by 5 experimenters, each collecting 60 observations. The number of clusters depends on the number of sessions onto which the experimenters will split their data collection. Details are specified in the experimental protocol.

Sample size: planned number of observations

The planned number of total observations is 300.

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

150 with face mask, 150 without face mask

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Supporting Documents and Materials

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