COVID-19 prevention policies through the lens of intermediary organisations and networks: Five lessons for pandemic policy making

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, key stakeholders in local organisations like sport clubs, cultural-, education- or day- and healthcare facilities, are positioned between governments and citizens. Yet, their experiences, the dilemmas they face and solutions they generate in implementing COVID-19 prevention policies in their setting are understudied. Aim: To understand how formal and informal stakeholders in different organisations and community networks have experienced and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic policies in the Netherlands. Methods: Between October 2020 - November 2021, the Corona Behavioural Unit at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Netherlands) conducted narrative research, including 65 in-depth interviews with 95 key persons from 32 organisations in 8 different sectors. An independent expert-panel reviewed the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Five main themes emerged. First, local stakeholders support resilience and wellbeing of people involved, and enhance adherence through context-specific interventions and partnerships. Second, adherence is negatively affected when COVID-19 policies conflict with significant organisational goals and values. Third, small changes and unclarity in policies nationally, can have major impact on stakeholders locally. Fourth problem solving was based on trial-and-error, peer support, co-creation and transparent communication. Lastly, pandemic and COVID-19 prevention policies highlight inequalities in access to resources