Israel ranked in the upper third of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) for the swiftness of implementing eight out of ten public health measures during the first wave of the pandemic, including forced social distancing, border closures, and nationwide lockdowns.

• Timing of measures: Israel was the 4th country in the OECD to implement forced social distancing (cancellation of mass events on 4/3/2020), tied for 2nd in speed relative to 100 confirmed cases.

• It ranked 4th/1st in complete border closures and 5th/3rd in limitations on gatherings of 100 people, when measured from 100 cases and the WHO pandemic declaration, respectively.

• A 2023 study in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research found that Israel was relatively quick in initiating public health measures, possibly aided by its geographic isolation.

• However, higher levels of democracy and GDP per capita were associated with slower implementation of lockdowns, suggesting that wealthier, more democratic nations may delay such measures.

Overall, Israel’s early and rapid response placed it among the top performers in the OECD for pandemic preparedness and policy timing, despite being a high-income nation.