COVID-19 with stigma: New evidence from mobility data and “Go to Travel” campaign

The study modifies the stigma model for mobility behavior during COVID-19 by incorporating the impact of the Go to travel campaign. The basic stigma model suggests that people avoid going out due to a social stigma during a state of emergency. However, the study's extended model, using Go to travel campaign data, shows that the stigma effects are not dependent on policy and remain present but weaken in later stages. The evidence also suggests that the government's Go to travel campaign has a significant effect on increasing mobility behavior, countering the stigma effect caused by the emergency declaration. The analysis uses a panel data model with data on mobility, emergency declaration, Go to travel campaign, COVID-19 infection rates, and a weekend dummy control variable.