Mobility as a central element in the COVID-19 pandemic: from acceleration to containment. Experience and lessons from Galicia (Spain)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic developed in a context of hypermobility. International globalised financial capitalism has been consolidated at the beginning of the 21st century and it has resulted in an unprecedented increase in mobility. In Galicia (an autonomous region located in the northwest of Spain), as in many other Spanish, European and world territories, mobility restrictions were carried out according to different criteria. Here we will be concerned with showing the effectiveness of the different measures taken by the national and regional governments, linked to mobility and pandemic management. To achieve this objective, in addition to the official reports from the competent authorities, we use detailed data on the number and addresses of those infected during the first wave. We have this information because we were selected by the Government of Galicia to carry out a study on the territorial behaviour of the pandemic in Galicia.