To help understand global pandemic diffusion patterns, the authors examine the relationship between COVID-19 mortality rates and specific country-level policy interventions aimed to limit social contact. COVID-19 policy and case data was collected by Oxford University and John Hopkins University, Apple mobility data and various controls. As well, OECD and Emerging Market data for the first 97 days of the pandemic was used. The authors found that more stringent pandemic policies resulted in lower mortality growth rates. In addition, countries with more stringent policies in place prior to the first COVID-19 death had lower mortality rates and flatter mortality curves. This effect is more pronounced in countries with an aging population, a higher population density, a greater share of employees in vulnerable occupations, greater democratic freedom, more international travel and a greater distance from the equator.