Cochrane published a rapid review in September 2021 where the effects of non‐pharmacological measures implemented in long‐term care facilities to prevent or reduce the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among residents, staff, and visitors were assessed.

The evidence current up to 22 January 2021 included 22 studies, 11 observational and 11 modelling studies. All studies were conducted in North America or Europe.

Most studies compared outcomes in long‐term care facilities that implemented the measures with predicted or observed control scenarios without the measure (but often with baseline infection control measures also in place). Several modelling studies assessed additional comparator scenarios, such as comparing higher with lower rates of testing.

Overall, the study identified five intervention domains, each including a number of specific measures.

Entry regulation measures (4 observational studies; 4 modelling studies)

Most studies showed that such measures were beneficial, but some studies found no effects or unwanted effects, such as depression and delirium among residents in the context of visiting restrictions.

Contact‐regulating and transmission‐reducing measures (6 observational studies; 2 modelling studies)

Some measures may be beneficial, but often the evidence is very uncertain.

Surveillance measures (2 observational studies; 6 modelling studies)

Routine testing of residents and staff may reduce the number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths among residents, although the evidence on the number of deaths among staff was less clear. Testing more often, getting test results faster, and using more accurate tests were predicted to have more beneficial effects.

Outbreak control measures (4 observational studies; 3 modelling studies)

These measures may reduce the number of infections and the risk of outbreaks in facilities, but often the evidence is very uncertain.

Combination measures (2 observational studies; 1 modelling study)

A combination of different measures may be effective in reducing the number of infections and deaths.

The review provides a comprehensive framework and synthesis of a range of non‐pharmacological measures implemented in long‐term care facilities. These may prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and their consequences. However, the certainty of evidence is predominantly low to very low, due to the limited availability of evidence and the design and quality of available studies. Therefore, true effects may be substantially different from those reported here.

Overall, more studies producing stronger evidence on the effects of non‐pharmacological measures are needed, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries and on possible unintended consequences of these measures. Future research should explore the reasons behind the paucity of evidence to guide pandemic research priority setting in the future.

The review can be accessed at https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015085.pub2/full