Post COVID-19 Analysis of Fiscal Support Interventions on Health Regulations and Socio-Economic Dimensions

In this paper, we conduct a post-COVID-19 analysis of the role of fiscal support interventions on COVID-19 health regulations and socio-economic dimensions. We employed a quantitative research method where 302 responses were obtained from different households in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Limpopo Provinces in South Africa. The results reveal that the relief fund (R350 unemployment grant, unemployment insurance fund claim, and food parcel distribution, among others) mediated the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and poverty levels and the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and health and well-being. The relief fund also mediated the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and employment levels. Support package from the R500 billion government support, which included loan guarantees, job support, tax and payment deferrals and holidays, social grants, wage guarantees, health interventions, and municipalities support, moderates the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and the family and social support. These results validate the impact of the fiscal support intervention by the government in mitigating its emergency intervention with COVID-19 health regulations. This strengthens the theory of intervention, highlighting that there are multiple dynamics that make it complex. Despite this, the study highlights the importance of comprehensive intervention for future preparedness, thus advancing the crisis-intervention perspective. Advances in these areas are critical to mitigate the impact of the next pandemic or similar major events in society.