Report 10: Public response to UK Government recommendations on COVID-19: population survey, 17-18 March 2020
Christina Atchison, Leigh Bowman, Eaton, jeffrey, Imai, natsuko, Rozlyn Redd, Philippa Pristerà, Charlotte Vrinten, Ward, helen
Abstract
On Monday 16th March 2020 the UK government announced new actions to control COVID-19. These recommendations directly affected the entire UK population, and included the following: stop non-essential contact with others; stop all unnecessary travel; start working from home where possible; avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues; and to isolate at home for 14 days if anyone in the household has a high temperature or a new and continuous cough. To capture public sentiment towards these recommendations, a YouGov survey was commissioned by the Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC), Imperial College London. The survey was completed by 2,108 UK adults between the dates of 17th – 18th March 2020. The survey results show the following: • 77% reported being worried about the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. • 48% of adults who have not tested positive for COVID-19 believe it is likely they will be infected at some point in the future. • 93% of adults reported personally taking at least one measure to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, including: o 83% washed their hands more frequently; o 52% avoided crowded areas; o 50% avoided social events; o 36% avoided public transport; o 31% avoided going out; o 11% avoided going to work; o 28% avoided travel to areas outside the UK. • There is high reported ability and willingness to self-isolate for 7 days* if advised to do so by a health professional (88%). • However only 44% reported being able to work from home. This was higher among managerial and professional workers (60%) than manual, semi-skilled, and casual workers (19%)^, reflecting less flexible job roles for manual and lower grade workers. • 71% reported changing behaviour in response to government guidance. The figure (53%) was lower for young adults (18-24 year-olds). • Hand washing (63%), avoiding persons with symptoms (61%), and covering your sneeze (53%) were more likely to be perceived as ‘very effective’ measures to prevent COVID-19 spread than common social distancing measures (avoiding going out (31%), to work (23%), to shops (16%) or to schools (19%)).