LAUSR

After the sudden lockdown in Wuhan on January 23, 2020, various nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were mandated in China to stop the spread of COVID-19.1 Studies indicated that mandatory NPIs policy was effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19.2 On one hand, mandatory NPIs are argued to promote public health by building upon the social benefit of practicing NPIs1 and, on the other hand, mandatory NPIs have been argued to restrict the bodily freedom while increasing paternalistic control of the state.3 Generally, health authorities have tended to suggest voluntary NPIs policy to appeal to individuals.4 This study aims to examine Chinese public’s attitudes toward mandatory and voluntary NPIs and their adoptions at the initial stages of COVID-19. The current study contributes to the public health literature by investigating possible policy influences on NPI practices during a pandemic. Based on the findings, the current study identified a set of recommendations to address protective health behaviors during a pandemic, which can be used by governments and public health practitioners to prepare and respond to a pandemic.