ABSTRACT
Lockdown has been the quintessential non-pharmacological measure to combat the spread of COVID-19. Virtually all countries have resorted to home confinement at some point during the pandemic. Although it has not been sufficient to stop the spread of the disease, its implementation has prevented countless deaths. This chapter studies both the strengths and weaknesses of the measure, exploring possible adverse effects that it has caused, in order to achieve a better implementation of the measure in the face of future pandemic catastrophes. The methodological strategy consisted of a review of the literature on the measure applied both in the COVID-19 pandemic and in past epidemic catastrophes. The results of the research report that the lockdown has had serious effects on the population. These effects have often not been evenly distributed among the population, with the most vulnerable bearing the greatest costs. The research shows that it is necessary to learn from experience in order to refine strategies for future pandemic catastrophes. © 2023 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.