Reference no: EM132587414

The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a number of challenges to governments and policy makers. In an attempt to limit the impact of COVID-19 governments have requested that individuals practice social distancing and, in some cases, social isolation. Breaching of social distancing orders made under the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal offence and attracts heavy penalties with possible jail time. According to the data from Police, as of April 2020, Victoria Police had issued a total of 1,955 infringement notices while New South Wales have issued 1022 fines

• Using economic principles, describe the benefits and incentives associated with social distancing.
• What cost-benefit factors influence people's decisions regarding whether to breach the social distancing rules. (Hint: think about Becker's model, marginal benefits and marginal cost for breaching the orders)
• What other factors might cause people to commit crimes (breaching social distancing orders)? How could you use these factors to reduce crime?
• Some state governments have decided to introduce possible jail time for breaching social distancing orders. What are the costs and [expected] benefits to society of incarceration?
• Existing evidence on whether social distancing rules achieve the desired aim. Why such policies might be effective or ineffective.
• Whether there may be any unintended consequences of such a policy.