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Jobs and COVID-19: Measuring Work-Related Physical Interaction

Author

Listed:
  • Haroon Bhorat
  • Tim Köhler
  • Amy Thornton
  • Morné Oosthuizen

    (Development Policy Research Unit, University of Cape Town)

Abstract

Given the role of physical human proximity and contact in the spread of COVID-19, we build an index measuring the level of physical interaction for different occupations. Our Physical Interaction Index combines occupational work context information from O*NET and work travel information from the 2010 StatsSA Time Use Survey. We merge this with South African labour market data from 2018-2019 to explore the distribution of physical interaction across occupations and sectors shortly before the pandemic. The index provides some empirical evidence about a dimension of transmission risk that could inform how to calibrate the composition of economic sectors being phased back to work over the next few months. This short note introduces the index and provides some initial descriptive results for the South African labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • Haroon Bhorat & Tim Köhler & Amy Thornton & Morné Oosthuizen, 2020. "Jobs and COVID-19: Measuring Work-Related Physical Interaction," Working Papers 202003, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctw:wpaper:202003
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    File URL: https://commerce.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/content_migration/commerce_uct_ac_za/1093/files/DPRU%2520WP202003.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alkire, Sabina & Foster, James, 2011. "Counting and multidimensional poverty measurement," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(7), pages 476-487.
    2. Fernando Alvarez & David Argente, 2020. "A Simple Planning Problem for COVID-19 Lockdown," Working Papers 2020-34, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bhorat, Haroon & Köhler, Timothy, 2025. "Watts happening to work? The labour market effects of South Africa’s electricity crisis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    2. Vasavi Bhatt, 2025. "Occupational concentration and specialized knowledge: evidence from census of India," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(3), pages 1-30, September.
    3. Svenn-Erik Mamelund & Jessica Dimka & Nan Zou Bakkeli, 2021. "Social Disparities in Adopting Non-pharmaceutical Interventions During COVID-19 in Norway," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 37(3), pages 302-328, September.
    4. Haroon Bhorat & Tim Köhler & Morné Oosthuizen & Amy Thornton & Ben Stanwix & François Steenkamp, 2020. "The Economics of Covid-19 in South Africa: Early Impressions," Working Papers 202004, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.

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